Alain Ducasse (b. 13 September 1956 on a farm in Castel-Sarrazin in southwestern France) is a Monégasque chef. He formerly held French nationality. He operates an eponymous restaurant at the Plaza Athénée in Paris. Until the closure of his New York restaurant at the Essex House hotel, he held three stars (the top ranking) in the Michelin Guide. In January 2007 he took the position as chef of the Jules Verne Restaurant located in the Eiffel Tower in Paris.