Eric Ripert is the chef and co-owner of the New York restaurant Le Bernardin, which ranks 18th on the S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants list. He holds three stars from the Michelin Guide, a "29" food rating from the 2011 Zagat Guide--the highest of any restaurant in the city--and has upheld a four-star review from the New York Times for more than two decades. He is a recipient of France's Legion d'Honneur, serves as a regular guest judge on Bravo's Top Chef , and is the host of his own PBS series, Avec Eric , which has won Emmy and James Beard awards.   .