Jose Gutierrez Named Chef of the Year award from the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France

Another Memphis chef is in the national spotlight. This time it's Jose Gutierrez, who has received the Toque d'Argent-Trophee Andre Surmain, which is Chef of the Year award from the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France.

Gutierrez won over all other chefs in the U.S. and Canada who are members of the group.

"I am very honored, because the people who vote for me are also chefs," he said. "And I get to take the toque from Michel Richard, who is in my opinion the greatest chef in the United States right now."

Richard, the recipient of numerous culinary awards over the years, is the chef/owner of Michel Richard Citronelle in Washington, D.C. Gutierrez will travel there to pick up the trophy, the Silver Toque, from Richard, and it will remain with Gutierrez at River Oaks Restaurant until it is awarded to another chef next year.

The award was created in 1961 by Andre Surmain, the founder of New York City's Lutece. Besides Richard, previous recipients have included noted chefs Jacques Pépin and Daniel Boulud.

Jean-Louis Dumonet, the president of the American and Canadian Delegation, Association des Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, said only 336 chefs around the world meet the stringent requirements for membership.

"I have known Jose for a very long time, and he is very good, and also very sure about his work," he said. "The other chefs also believe this, as in fact this award is a coronation by his peers."