If you’re in the restaurant industry or at least a food enthusiast then you’ve most likely come across the words “Michelin Stars”. What is a Michelin star? It’s something many restaurant owners and chefs desire and it’s going to take more for an establishment to receive that 5-star status.
The number of customers a day is not enough. Quality of food and service plays an important role to achieve a star from the Michelin Guide. Just yesterday (13th December), the first edition of the Michelin Guide in Malaysia has finally been unveiled. Let’s see who made it onto the list:
The Michelin Star Revelation 2023 was held last night at Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur and apparently, this is the first time the prestigious award arrived in our country. A total of 97 restaurants in Malaysia were announced to make their debut at the gourmet recognition award ceremony.
According to TheRakyatPost, Gwendal Poullennec, the international director of the Michelin Guide revealed that anonymous critics have been going to restaurants around Malaysia for 3 years. A total of 61 restaurants were shortlisted and the full list has been revealed on the Michelin Guide’s YouTube page as well as their website. 4 Malaysian restaurants have been awarded 1 Michelin Star including DC. by Darren Chin in KL and Au Jardin in Penang.
32 restaurants were awarded the Bib Gourmand Establishment recognition; 15 in KL and 17 in Penang. Although the other restaurants selected did not qualify for a Bib Gourmand or Michelin Star, they’ve certainly met certain Michelin Guide criteria. But what do the people of Malaysia think of the list? Since they’re the customers, their opinions matter as well. Here’s how netizens reacted to the full list of Malaysian restaurants selected by the Michelin Guide:
As you can see from the screenshots, people’s opinions are torn. Some are happy with the restaurants’ achievements while others questioned the Guide’s credibility as they believed some of these restaurants, including Sri Nirwana Maju in Bangsar, should not even be listed. A few are also hoping that these restaurants do not raise the price of their food after getting the prestigious recognition.
What do you think of the full list? Should there be any establishments that should or should not make the cut? Whatever the case, congratulations to all selected Michelin Guide restaurants! May your business continue to prosper.
Sources: MichelinGuide(1)(2), YouTube, TheRakyatPost
