The Texas culinary scene will soon be shining on the global stage.
The French tire company Michelin stated in a press release on July 16 that its prestigious restaurant award system MICHELIN Guide is finally coming to Texas. This move makes the Lone Star State Michelin’s 11th location in North America.
The long-awaited partnership with Michelin was made possible by the state-funded agency Travel Texas and the visitors’ bureaus in Texas’ five featured cities.
“The Texas culinary scene has proven to be an exhilarating one, with multicultural influences, homegrown ingredients, and talent that is rich in ambition,” says Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of The MICHELIN Guide. “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.”
According to the press release, the MICHELIN Guide’s inspectors are already in Texas, anonymously making reservations and trying out culinary gems in the state’s biggest cities.
The restaurant reviews will follow Michelin’s historical methodology, which is based on five criteria:
1) quality products
2) the harmony of flavors
3) the mastery of cooking techniques
4) the voice and personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine
5) consistency between each visit and throughout the menu (each restaurant is inspected several times a year)
“The MICHELIN Guide Texas will illustrate to global travelers the culinary journey that’s waiting to be discovered in our state, featuring restaurants that embody our heritage and introducing innovative chefs and local artisans who are redefining our food scene,” said Tim Fennell, director of Travel Texas. “The introduction of the Guide will be a tremendous asset for Texas, promoting our rich and diverse food culture and elevating the restaurant scene to an international stage.”
In the 20th century, Michelin aimed to boost tire sales by publishing practical guides for motorists, which included recommendations for good local eateries and places to stay. The listing evolved into the renowned MICHELIN guide in 1920 and remain as the world’s most prestigious rating system for restaurants and hotels.
The first MICHELIN North American Guide was published in 2005 for New York, and expanded to other locations in Washington, D.C.; Chicago; California; Miami/Orlando/Tampa, Florida; Colorado; Atlanta, Toronto; Vancouver; and Mexico.
