In the culinary world, receiving a Michelin Star is a massive accolade.
Which is why many were taken aback in 2017 when the chef of Le Suquet in South France, Sébastien Bras, pleaded for Michelin to take back the 3-star rating that his restaurant was awarded.
Bras’ reasoning for giving up the widely sought-after award was simple: it was making him miserable.
In an article on eater.com, Bras is quoted saying that “we want to proceed with a free spirit…without wondering whether my creations will appeal to Michelin’s inspectors.”
Bras had the keen insight that his stress was driven by what he’d chosen to value.
As long as he continued to care about the Michelin star, he would continue to be miserable. Removing himself from the game of Michelin reviews was his way of declaring that he was going shift his focus exclusively to his craft and to his customers — a much happier place for Bras.
Though Michelin initially agreed to Bras’ request, the publication later changed its mind and decided that it would continue to review his restaurant. In 2019, the guide gave Le Suquet 2 stars instead of the 3 it’d been previously awarded. Bras responded to the news on social media saying , “…we are no longer concerned; neither by the stars; nor by the strategies of the guide. I expressed my position last year and am still in the same spirit; with still and always the trust of our customers.”
The Michelin Guide — review or no review — no longer had any power over Bras. He quit the game for good — he picked a different set of values. And he was happier because of it.
When what you value and what you do are not in alignment, sometimes the answer is to change what you do. Other times, the answer will be to question your values.