Michelin's Underwhelming Announcement

The Michelin Guide Vancouver is in its second year

There was barely any excitement in the days leading up to the second year of the Michelin Guide in Vancouver. So was it surprising that only one -- yes just one -- new restaurant was added to the other eight one-star establishments?

Tonight's announcement was held at the Fairmont Pacific Rim's ballroom, not the massive Convention Centre, and only about a dozen seats reserved in front of the stage.

Okeya Kyujiro is the ninth one-star restaurant

A few industry people I talked to before the event started assumed there would be more stars handed out, but no, they were completely wrong.

So the coveted star was handed to a Japanese omakase restaurant called Okeya Kyujiro in Yaletown that opened last September. It has another location in Montreal that opened three years ago. It was nice to see the two chefs and server dressed in traditional Japanese attire and fitting that they also won the Michelin Outstanding Service award.

And there was a new prize handed out -- Michelin Young Chef Award -- which went to Warren Chow of Wildlight Kitchen + Bar, a place I visited a week ago and quite enjoyed the lunch. Service was better than the first time I went, but then again the place was barely half full.

Chow was thrilled to win the award -- he said he had no idea beforehand and was shaking with excitement. He just turned 31 years old yesterday so this Michelin nod is quite the birthday present.

And then that was the end of the awards ceremony. 

Warren Chow Best Young Chef

Before the big announcement of the ninth one-star restaurant, every other chef, restaurateur, sommelier, manager and so on were on stage to get their two minutes' of fame. Emcee Mijune Pak asked not only last year's one-star restaurants to come up, but also the Bib Gourmands and the Recommended Restaurants. All 77 of them were up on stage at one point or another.

Perhaps it was done so that they got some attention, but for the media it was hardly newsworthy.

Even international director of the Michelin Guide Gwendal Poullennec didn't show up. Apparently he's too busy launching guides at the moment to return to cities for the second year...

So what's next for 2024? 

One more one-star restaurant?

The Michelin Guide has puts itself in a pickle. Vancouver has great restaurants, but are they really Michelin-starred restaurants? Now there are nine one-star restaurants. Of those are any worthy of being elevated to two stars?

 

Toronto Gets Michelin-Star Treatment

Toronto will see its first Michelin stars this fall

Toronto is all abuzz with the news that the Michelin Guide will make its first appearance in Canada's largest city this fall. 

Gwendal Poullennec, director of the international guides was in Toronto to make the announcement, and on hand were celebrity chefs Daniel Boulud and Alvin Leung. Boulud's Daniel restaurant in New York has two stars, while Leung's Bo Innovation in Hong Kong used to have three at one point, and is a judge on MasterChef Canada.

Leung, Boulud and Michelin Man at the event

"For the first time in its history, the Michelin Guide lands in Canada, and our inspectors are excited to experience the impressive culinary landscape of Toronto," said Poullennec. "This first selection for Canada's largest city, and our first in the country, will represent the local flavours, international inspiration, and distinct creativity that makes Toronto's dining scene world-class."

Hmmm he seems to hint that there could be guides in other cities -- Montreal perhaps? Vancouver?

Meanwhile Toronto mayor John Tory said this would help put the city on the culinary map for foodies to descend on Hogtown.

"This is an exciting moment for our city as Toronto will become the first Michelin Guide destination in Canada," Tory said. "This further bolsters our reputation as a world destination for food and cuisine. Our diverse city, along with the many renowned chefs who call Toronto home, have helped us get to this point and to be able to showcase all of the wonderful restaurants."

Toronto first Canadian city, who's next?

It has been long believed that Michelin will come to a city when the metropolis shells out for the guide through its tourism commission. 

And in Toronto's case, Michelin is teaming up with Destination Toronto -- a City of Toronto partner that promotes tourism and local businesses...