Chefs knighted with toy sword in Melbourne

Swords were drawn on Monday night at Collingwood’s Smith Street Bistrot, where restaurateur Scott Pickett received a knighthood as a Chevalier of the Order of Agricultural Merit from French ambassador Pierre-Andre Imbert.

His mentor Philippe Mourchel (of Collins Street’s Philippe) and veteran TV chef Gabriel Gate – who taught a generation of Australian Baby Boomers how to eat better – were worthy recipients of the Officier version of the award on the night. In the French hierarchy of gongs, that one rates above the Chavaliers also awarded to Reverie Cafe pastry chef Pierrick Boyer, sommelier Christian Maier and Melbourne Park executive chef Alexander McIntosh.