Michelin stars skip Arizona in Southwest debut
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The famously stingy Michelin Guide denied Arizona restaurants any of its coveted stars, but nearly a dozen Valley favorites did get some recognition during a ceremony Wednesday.
Why it matters: A Michelin star would have gone a long toward boosting the Valley's growing national reputation for its restaurant scene.
Catch up quick: The Michelin Guide announced in December that it would expand to the American Southwest, including Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah.
- It's the first time the region's restaurants have been eligible in the star rating system's 100-year history.
Yes, but: No stars didn't mean no love for Arizona. Michelin presented John Germain of Reserve in Scottsdale with the Sommelier Award.
- FnB in Scottsdale won a Bib Gourmand —which celebrates good food at pocket-friendly prices — and was recognized as a Mindful Voice recipient for its "vegetable-forward, farmer-first philosophy."
- Huarachis Taqueria won a Bib Gourmand while its chef, René Andrade, who also runs Bacanora, won the Young Chef Award. He shouted "Arriba Arizona!" while accepting it.
- Bacanora also landed on Michelin's recommended restaurants list alongside Christopher's at Wrigley Mansion, The Fry Bread House, Indibar, Pretty Penny and more.
Zoom out: Three of the four Southwest restaurants awarded one star are in Las Vegas (the fourth is in Salt Lake City), while the sole two-star recognition went to — you guessed it — Sin City, again.
Flashback: Arizona will have to wait for its first Michelin star, but it's had its share of James Beard Award winners, including Lom Wong's Yotaka Martin (2024), Bacanora's Andrade (2024) and Charleen Badman of Scottsdale's FnB (2019).
The bottom line: Even though Arizona didn't get it's Michelin moment, the Valley still got some well-deserved recognition.