Michelin stars expand to the Lone Star State
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Michelin is coming to Texas with the first selections to be revealed this year. Photo: Guillaume Souvant/Getty Images
Texas restaurants are now vying for Michelin recognition as the respected, star-tiered dining guide expands to the Lone Star State.
Why it matters: Texas' presence in the guide network brings international acclaim to the state's diverse food scene, boosting visibility and tourism.
The latest: Michelin announced the expansion on Tuesday. The first selections will be revealed this year at the 2024 Texas Michelin Guide ceremony.
- San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth, Dallas and Houston restaurants will be included.
How it works: Michelin Guide's anonymous inspectors award the coveted Michelin Stars (one, two or three) to restaurants.
- The guide also includes the Bib Gourmand award, which highlights restaurants that serve good food at an affordable price.
- The Michelin Green Star is given to restaurants that are champions of sustainability.
- The methodology is based on quality products, harmony of flavors, mastery of cooking techniques, the chef's voice and personality in the food, and consistency between each visit.
The intrigue: You could be dining in the presence of an inspector. Reviewers are already in the field, making reservations and dining in secrecy to ensure they're not given preferential treatment.
Zoom out: New York, Chicago, D.C., California, Atlanta and Miami/Orlando/Tampa each have Michelin Guides.
- The Texas scene is an "exhilarating" addition to the guides, Michelin international director Gwendal Poullennec said in a statement.
- "Foodies and travel enthusiasts alike will find something to enjoy, with such a broad dining scene spanning farm-to-table dishes, fusion cuisine, upscale dining and the famous Texas-style barbecue. Texas is a perfect fit for the MICHELIN Guide, based on the experiences of our anonymous Inspectors," he said.
Zoom in: Nicola Blaque, chef and owner of The Jerk Shack and Freight Fried Chicken, said the expansion comes at a time of significant diversifying in San Antonio.
- "This is a city that reflects the vanguard of modern culinary. With the recent James Beard Foundation recognition and now The MICHELIN Guide, San Antonio is blazing a new tasty trail like no other," she said.
By the numbers: 57% of travelers said they'd be willing to stay longer in a city if it had Michelin-starred restaurants, and 71% said they'd be willing to spend more, according to a study by consulting group Ernst & Young.
What they're saying: Visit San Antonio CEO Marc Anderson called the Michelin Guide a phenomenal marketing opportunity.
- "While we do not yet know what particular restaurants will be honored with MICHELIN's recognition, we know that all of San Antonio will benefit from The MICHELIN Guide Texas including San Antonio," he said in a statement.