Most Michelin stars awarded to a chef (living)

Over his career to date, the restaurants of Alain Ducasse (France) have received 21 Michelin stars, meaning he has earned more of these esteemed culinary awards than any other living chef. As of 2023, Ducasse presides over the kitchens of 34 fine-dining establishments in seven different countries. The most acclaimed are Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester in London, UK, and Le Louis XV in the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo in Monaco, both of which have long held the Michelin Guide's top rating of three stars, the former since 2010 and the latter since 1989.

Of all time, the only chef to surpass him was compatriot Joël Robuchon (1945–2018), who in 2016 held an unprecedented 32 stars in restaurants across 13 different countries.

Just behind Ducasse are British TV chef Gordon Ramsay (on 17) and fellow Frenchman Pierre Gagnaire (on 14).

Ducasse is the first chef in history to have run three restaurants in three different cities each with three Michelin stars.

It's worth noting that Michelin stars are technically awarded to the restaurants, as opposed to chefs, but it's generally recognized within the industry and beyond that the executive chef(s) of a restaurant to receive a Michelin star are also considered a recipient of the award given their significant contribution to the achievement.