Alain Ducasse to take over kitchen at three-starred Le Meurice in Paris

Alain Ducasse is to take over in the kitchen of the three-Michelin-starred Le Meurice in Paris.

The move, reported in France's Le Point, came about following the departure at the end of January this year of Yannick Alléno.

Staff were informed of Ducasse's involvement on Thursday last week, ending five months of speculation.

For the time being, Japanese chef Yu Sugimoto is in charge of the kitchen, while Cédric Grolet heads up the pastry section. Ducasse will take over in September.

Ducasse's involvement at the restaurant at 228 on the Rue de Rivoli in Paris's first arrondissement makes sense not only because Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée is closing in October this year for a seven-month refurbishment, but also because both restaurants belong to the Dorchester Collection.

It is not clear at the moment whether Ducasse's team from Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée will follow him, according to Le Point.

If Ducasse manages to retain the three stars earned by Alléno, it will make him the only chef in France to have three restaurants with three stars (he already holds three stars at both Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée and Louis XV à l'Hôtel de Paris in Monte-Carlo).