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Shock and Awe

Alain Ducasse’s exit from the Plaza Athénée rocked Paris. But his replacement is generating even more buzz

By Alexander Lobrano

In Paris, the countdown to the most anticipated restaurant opening of the year began in June. This is because to fire someone without attracting a lot of attention, you do it in May—late May—when everyone is focused on their upcoming vacances.

This was when Dorchester Collection’s Hôtel Plaza Athénée announced it had parted ways with chef Alain Ducasse. His three-Michelin-star restaurant Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée would close permanently on June 30.