Australian restaurants have been awarded Michelin stars for the first time ever.
All 11 restaurants to be honoured are in South Australia.
It comes after the South Australian Government paid an undisclosed amount of money to bring the Michelin Guide to the state.
So, what actually is a Michelin star?
And what’s it got to do with tyres?
Let us explain.
Michelin
In 1900, French tyre company Michelin wanted to encourage people to drive, to increase the market for tyres.
To get drivers on the road, they came up with the Michelin Guide: a free brochure including maps, tyre repair tips, and lists of mechanics, hotels and petrol stations.
Restaurant stars came in 1926, with the hope that people would travel further for special culinary experiences.
Rating system
Today, Michelin stars are one of the most prestigious honours in food.
Here’s how the rating system works:
One star means high quality cooking, worth a stop.
Two means excellent cooking, worth a detour.
Three means exceptional cuisine, worth making a special journey.
Anonymous inspectors judge against five universal criteria: ingredient quality, harmony of flavours, the mastery of culinary techniques, how the chef’s personality shines through, and consistency across the menu.
Other elements, like decor or service, don’t factor in.
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Michelin itself says: “One of the biggest misconceptions about The Michelin Guide is that we have a preference for more formal restaurants.
This is not true.”
For example, a small restaurant in Mexico City that sells tacos for around $AU5 each received a star in 2024.
There are now 3,896 Michelin-starred restaurants in the world.
Only 161 of those have achieved three stars.
While restaurants can’t pay for a star, governments can pay to bring the guide to their region.
Critics say that raises questions about impartiality.
Australia
Michelin has been trying to set up an Australian guide for about a decade now.
Last year, Tourism Australia reportedly turned down a $40 million, five year deal, according to the AFR.
In July, New Zealand became the first place in Oceania to get a Michelin Guide, following an agreement worth about $AU5.1 million over three years.
South Australia also struck its own deal.
Premier Peter Malinauskas told the ABC the amount was “lower” than what New Zealand paid.
Awards
The first Australian stars were handed out at a ceremony in Adelaide on Wednesday night.
Magill Estate won two, the only restaurant in the country with that many.
Ten more won one star each: Anvers, Aptos, arkhé, Aurora at ILA, Botanic, Esmay, Hentley Farm, LVN Restaurant at Bird in Hand, Maxwell, and Skillogalee Barrel House.
No other states have announced plans to have their restaurants assessed.
