Michelin crowns Japanese chef Kei Kobayashi with three stars Chef Kei Kobayashi became the first Japanese chef ever to win the maximum three Michelin stars in France on Monday. The flamboyant 42-year-old, who was born in Nagano, describes himself as a 'very, very difficult person' but says the accolade, won in the backyard of French haute cuisine, is for his whole team. \\n IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES \\n