Call us bias, but we maintain that Texas cooks up some of the best food on the planet. Despite widespread culinary recognition, the state doesn’t have any official Michelin restaurants. The Michelin Guide covers 44 countries across the world, including five cities in the US. Why not Texas?
What is the significance of a Michelin Star?
To start, indeed: it’s the Michelin you’re thinking of. Initially, the tire company launched the inaugural Michelin guides in 1900 in France, aiming to boost car sales. Restaurants, along with hotels and auto repair shops at the time, were awarded high ratings to incentivize drivers to explore more, thereby increasing the demand for tires.
In 1926, the Michelin Star ratings were introduced. A restaurant awarded a Michelin Star was deemed by Michelin as a “fine dining establishment.” Subsequently, the rating system was expanded to include three stars.
Today, receiving a Michelin Star is regarded as the utmost distinction for chefs, often referred to as “the Oscars of the restaurant industry” by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.
“All we are saying is ‘these are the restaurants with the best food, where you will enjoy the most outstanding culinary experiences.’”
The Michelin Guide currently employs a three-star rating system. One star signifies restaurants utilizing top-notch ingredients, expertly prepared to deliver consistently distinct flavors. Two stars are awarded when chefs showcase their expertise and individuality through meticulously crafted and innovative dishes.
The highest accolade in the Michelin Guide is the coveted three stars. This prestigious honor is bestowed upon chefs of exceptional talent, whose culinary creations are deemed artistic masterpieces, presenting future classics.
What does it take for a restaurant to receive a Michelin Star?
As per the official Michelin Guide website, five criteria are considered:
- Quality of ingredients
- Harmony of flavors
- Mastery of culinary techniques
- Expression of the chef’s personality through their cuisine
- Consistency of the menu over time
Michelin inspectors regularly revisit Michelin-starred restaurants across different seasons to ensure consistency. The website emphasizes that there is no fixed formula; thus, some restaurants may be traditional while others are innovative, some may be formal while others are casual.
It’s worth noting that factors such as decor, service quality, or the formality of a restaurant do not influence its Michelin rating. For the Michelin Guide, the sole determinant is the quality of the food served.
What cities have Michelin-star restaurants?
The Michelin Guide has a presence in 44 countries across Europe, Asia, North America, and South America. The highest concentrations of Michelin-starred restaurants can be found in France (625), Japan (414), Italy (380), Germany (328), and Spain (248).
It wasn’t until 2006, a century after its initial launch, that Michelin extended its coverage to the United States. Beginning with New York, there are currently 39 Michelin-starred restaurants in the city. Over time, Michelin expanded its reach to include Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Chicago.
The most recent expansion of the Michelin Guide occurred in late 2022, introducing Michelin ratings to countries such as Estonia, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.
How does Michelin select cities to expand into?
According to Michelin’s website, the expansion of its guide is purportedly based solely on the excellence of the cuisine. Nevertheless, the reality is more complex.
It’s widely known that cities regularly make efforts to attract Michelin’s attention and bring its guide to their locales. The existence of Michelin-starred restaurants is undoubtedly beneficial for tourism. Recently, the Israeli Tourism Ministry unveiled a $1.6 million agreement to welcome Michelin to the country in 2023.
In 2017, Claire Dorland Clauzel, the Executive Vice President of Michelin Guides, informed the Washington Post that it’s relatively common for tourism boards of cities or countries to sponsor local guides.
“Some countries and some governments that want to… attract tourism, they are very interested in having a guide, and so they sponsor a guide to have the ability to communicate around their gastronomic landscape.”
However, Clauzel emphasizes that the decision to expand into a new area is not solely based on receiving substantial financial incentives. Even if a town like Wimberly were to submit a bid in the millions, Michelin would still be unlikely to consider covering the town.
Does Texas have Michelin-Star Restaurants?
No. As mentioned, the Michelin Guide currently encompasses only four states in the US. The absence of the guide in Texas leaves room for speculation. Whether state or local governments could potentially submit bids to entice Michelin to the southern region is also a matter open to question..
When will Michelin cover Texas?
The official website asserts that the Michelin Guide’s coverage expands annually. It’s possible that Michelin inspectors eventually come to their senses and explore Texas’s rich culinary landscape. And/or the state could one day allocate significant funds to attract Michelin to the southern region.
Considering this, we can only speculate that it’s merely a matter of time before the Michelin Guide extends to the Lonestar State. However, the timing remains uncertain. In the meantime, it could mean shorter queues for the rest of us.