Miami's Itamae AO gets Michelin Star as guide's Florida offerings expand
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Honorees celebrate on stage after the Michelin Guide ceremony. Photo: Jeff Weiner/Axios
Miami added to its haul of stars by the famed Michelin Guide on Thursday, with recently opened Itamae AO joining the prestigious club.
Why it matters: Recognition by Michelin is seen as an international certification of excellence, putting restaurants and their cities on the worldwide culinary map.
What they're saying: Itamae AO's Nando Chang said he was "very thankful" for the honor of being one of the night's four newly starred restaurants — and delivered a message to match the political moment.
- Asked what the award meant, he said, "It just means that people like my father, undocumented immigrants who came to this country over 30, 35 years ago, still have a future in this country."
Inside the room: The stars were doled out during a ceremony Thursday evening at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando.
- Hundreds of people in cocktail attire attended, packing a ballroom that offered hors d'oeuvre worthy of an event celebrating the state's best chefs.
Zoom in: Stars weren't the only honors on offer. Jacqueline Pirolo of Miami's Macchialina was selected for Michelin's sommelier award.
- The young chef award went to Juan Camilo Liscano of Palma.
- And the green star award, which recognizes sustainability, went to Entrenos Miami's Even Burgess and Osmel Gonzalez and Stubborn Seed's Jeremy Ford.
Catch up quick: The guide expanded to Florida in 2022, becoming the fifth U.S. destination after New York, D.C., Chicago and California.
- At the time, only restaurants in Tampa, Orlando and Miami were eligible — because for your city to make Michelin, you have to pay up.
- Joining the guide this year are Pinellas County, Fort Lauderdale and the Palm Beaches.
How it works: Florida's tourism board and tourism agencies representing those cities spent nearly $1.5 million to bring Michelin to the Sunshine State.
- That includes about $116,000 per year for three years from Visit Tampa Bay, per the Tampa Bay Times.
- In February, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater signed a two-year contract to pay Michelin $90,000 a year for inclusion, Brian Lowack, the CEO of Pinellas' tourism agency, told Axios.
- Discover the Palm Beaches and Visit Lauderdale told Axios they are each paying $90,000 per year.
Zoom out: Chef's Counter at MAASS in Fort Lauderdale got a star in the city's debut year, as did Konro for West Palm Beach.
- Ômo by Jônt added to Orlando's star haul.
The bottom line: Miami's favorite chef siblings, Nando and Valerie Chang, keep growing more influential.
- Valerie Chang, of Maty's, won a James Beard last year as the best chef in the South. Her newly starred brother is a finalist for the same award this year.