The First Michelin 6-Star Chef

Eugenie Brazier was the first woman chef to receive 3 Michelin stars and the first person to garner 6 Michelin stars at the same time in 1933

La Mere Brazier, 12 rue Royale, Lyon, still stands today, having been purchased by Chef Mathieu Viannay (Meilleur Ouvrier de France 2004) in 2008

A young Paul Bocuse apprenticed at her restaurant and learnt from Eugenie Brazier the mastery of pure, simple, delicious meals

EUGENIE BRAZIER (1895 – 1977) was the first woman to be awarded 3 stars in the Michelin Guide, and the first person to hold 6 Michelin stars when both her LA MERE BRAZIER restaurants in and outside Lyon were awarded the top honours in 1933.

Born in the Burgundian village of Bourg-en-Bresse, Brazier became an orphan at just 10 and was sent to work on a farm. At 19, the young French woman went to Lyons to work as a domestic and later in the restaurant of Mere Fillioux, the celebrated provincial chef who only employed women.

At the time, woman chefs were rare. 

Except perhaps in Lyon, where, such was their acknowledged expertise, there was a tradition of women working in professional kitchens. 

At just 26 years young, Eugenie Brazier opened her first restaurant which still stands today. The 12 rue Royale address was instantly popular. Brazier’s friendship with then Prime Minister Edouard Herriot certainly did not hurt.

Later, the chef restaurateur opened at Le Col de la Luere in the mountainous countryside about 20 km outside Lyon. A young Paul Bocuse apprenticed there and learnt from Brazier the mastery of pure, simple, delicious meals. 

Eugenie Brazier receiving the unprecedented 6 Michelin stars in 1933, it took another 65 years before the men caught up with that feat. In 1998, Alain Ducasse received 3 stars each for his restaurants in Paris and Monte Carlo (many writers erroneously reported him being the first person to do so).

La Mere Brazier at 12 rue Royale was sold by Brazier’s family to Chef Mathieu Viannay (Meilleur Ouvrier de France 2004) and reopened in 2008. Today, it has 2 Michelin stars and – together with Paul Bocuse – are not to be missed when visiting Lyon.