The Texas restaurant industry is having a big week. Its annual Texas Restaurant Association Show concluded Monday in San Antonio and a day later, the state got its very own Michelin Guide.
The guide, which will be released later this year, focuses on five cities – Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston. With its publication, Texas will become the 11th North American location to join the growing list of destinations reviewed by the French company, considered by many to be the most recognized restaurant rating system in the world. Michelin rates restaurants in more than 40 countries. In the United States, that includes California, Florida, Colorado, New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C.
As reported by the Dallas Morning News, an Ernst & Young study from 2019 found that 42% of consumers have used the Michelin Guide to choose a restaurant outside of the U.S., and 61% use the guide to help them pick a restaurant for a night out. In other words, there’s an economic tailwind from being added to the list and such potential is what excites Emily Williams Knight, president/CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association.
“This is a testament to what is happening in Texas right now. We know we have the best barbecue and Tex-Mex, but this will help us showcase that we also have much more than that. We think this will bring a bigger spotlight to what we have to offer, and that the rising tide will lift all boats,” she said during a recent interview. “We’re proud of this recognition and we celebrate the diversity of the cuisine we have in this state.”
“The Texas culinary scene has proven to be an exhilarating one, with multicultural influences, homegrown ingredients, and talent that is rich in ambition,” Michelin Guide 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.”
The upcoming Texas restaurant selection will follow Michelin’s historical methodology, based on five universal criteria, to ensure each destination’s selection equity:
- quality products
- the harmony of flavors
- the mastery of cooking techniques
- the voice and personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine
- consistency between each visit and throughout the menu (each restaurant is inspected several times a year).
The Michelin Guide was first published in 1900 by the Michelin brothers, André and Édouard, founders of the Michelin tire company in 1889. The guide was created to encourage more road travel and increase tire sales. U.S. restaurants weren’t eligible to receive Michelin stars, however, until the company debuted a New York City guide in 2005.
Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]
