French chefs launch elite 'quality restaurant' grade

Worried by the declining standards of France's famed restaurants, top chefs including Alain Ducasse and Joel Robuchon on Monday launched a new label for establishments that prepare their own food and give diners a proper welcome.

"We want to use our reputations and experience as top chefs to serve the whole profession," Ducasse said, accusing the French government of "doing nothing" to help the restaurant industry despite its significant benefits to tourism and the economy.

"We cannot wait for things to get worse," he said. "We cannot continue to let media in the English-speaking world say 'France is not what it was' in terms of cuisine."

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