“Chef-restaurateur”, a title especially for Saint-Martin

Alain Richardson, Senior Vice President in charge of economic attractiveness, and Alain Warth, President of ACRSXM, were all smiles as they signed this agreement on Friday, January 19, whose objective is to highlight the Saint-Martin destination as the gastronomic "capital" of the Caribbean. This progress is fully in line with the destination contract, itself included in the Saint-Martin tourism code.

The title of master restaurateur already exists at the national level, this initiative aimed to provide Saint-Martin with a unique title of chef-restaurateur, in view of its culinary specificities and the constraints which are often different from those encountered elsewhere in France.

The association of chef-restaurateurs therefore has its work cut out for it, as the role it has given itself will consist of animating the culinary sector, from production to the plate.

For Alain Warth, "the title of chef-restaurateur is a first in France and a specific recognition for Saint-Martin". He says he wants to support chefs, by developing the excellence and quality of products but also by organizing events promoting local gastronomy, in line with the Gastronomy festival. Training young chefs is also a priority.

First Vice President Alain Richardson sees this partnership as an opportunity to move Saint-Martin upmarket and give chefs the opportunity to showcase their expertise beyond our borders. To support them, the Collectivité will consider the possibility of introducing tax arrangements for restaurateurs.

The agreement will help to encourage professionals in the area; the Collectivité will work alongside the ACRSXM association.