Sorry (Or luckily), I'm not a participant, but will be invited to the VIP sections of the contest, 4 years ago even got the chance to sample some of the winning dishes on the spot... I'll be enjoying the concomittant exhibition as well as some of the best restaurants France has to offer
The distance from the old town center doesn't matter that much as I'll be using AVIS for transportation..
Trip report'll surely follow.