Spoiler alert: Gabriel from Emily in Paris isn’t getting a Michelin Star anytime soon. The first part of season four saw the chef (and on-again-off-again love interest of main character Emily Cooper) strive to do everything in his power to nail the Michelin seal of approval, but, long story short, it turns out the reviewer he’s been relying on is a fraud. However, Lucas Bravo, the actor who plays Gabriel, hasn’t given up hope. In fact, he recently revealed that he wants his character to keep chasing his Michelin dream, but instead of the standard culinary Michelin star, Bravo has his sights set on the organization’s prestigious, sustainability-focused Green Star.
Speaking to Sharp Magazine in August, Bravo revealed that while he isn’t in control of the plot of Emily in Paris (that’s all down to writer Darren Star, of course), he wants to see a few big menu changes in Gabriel’s restaurant for the coming seasons.
“I would love for his restaurant to become a vegan restaurant, and for him to get a Green Michelin Star,” Bravo, who is vegan himself, explained to the publication. “It’s something I’ve been talking about with Darren and producers for two years now, and I hope it’s going to happen.”
In the past, Bravo has also expressed that he’d like to see Gabriel talk about sustainability more, too. “What I really want for Gabriel—even more than his romantic storyline or friendships—I’d really like to use him as a platform to spread a little awareness about the climate,” he told Grazia. “I’m a vegan and in season three, Gabriel slowly used more vegetables and more organic cuisine at his restaurant.”
So if Bravo gets his wish, what would it take for Gabriel to actually achieve a Green Michelin Star? Vegetables and organic cuisine are a good start, but it’s going to take quite a lot of work from the fictional Paris-based chef. Let’s take a closer look, starting with: what actually is a Green Michelin Star?
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What is a Green Michelin Star?
Green Michelin Stars were first introduced by the Michelin Guide in 2020 in order to recognize restaurants that demonstrate outstanding commitments to sustainability. Unlike the regular Michelin Stars, which are awarded for culinary excellence, Green Stars focus on a restaurant’s overall dedication to eco-friendly practices. This includes how ingredients are sourced, waste management, plastic usage, energy efficiency, water conservation, and more.
“These restaurants offer dining experiences that combine culinary excellence with outstanding eco-friendly commitments and are a source of inspiration both for keen foodies and the hospitality industry as a whole,” notes the Michelin guide.
Bellefeuille
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How could Gabriel earn a Green Michelin Star?
Right now, there are eight restaurants in Paris with a Green Michelin Star. They include Septime, Anona, Le George, and Bellefeuille. The latter was awarded the accolade, in part, due to its vegetable garden and orchard, where it sources most of its vegetables, herbs, and fruits. The orchard is located in Nonville, Seine-et-Marne, and the produce is brought into the city of Paris via an electric vehicle.
The Michelin guide for Bellefeulle reads: “The fixed menu follows the seasons and uses the whole of each ingredient, with very little meat.” So, with that in mind, Bravo’s goal for Gabriel’s fictional restaurant to go vegan would certainly help it on its journey to achieving a Green Michelin Star. But the chef would have to do more than just serve plants.
“Every Green Star restaurant is different and works in its own unique way—but all make a difference to the world around them and act as role models to us all,” notes the Michelin guide. “Many work directly with growers, farmers, and fishermen; forage in hedgerows and woodlands; grow plants and rear animals; and use regenerative methods such as no-dig vegetable gardens and successional cover crop growing.”
The guide also noted that many restaurants also take things a step further, by contributing to local, national, and global nonprofits and charities related to environmental and ethical issues.
Whether Bravo’s wishes for Gabriel will come true is yet to be seen. But in a fictional, escapist world like Emily in Paris, where anything seems possible (including the many adventures Emily finds herself on), Gabriel’s Green Star dream might not be too far-fetched after all.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
