The Michelin Guide will be complete by the end of the year. How it impacts Texas
No barbecue joint has ever acquired a coveted Michelin star, but that could quickly change with the Michelin Guide now in Texas.
The restaurant industry is challenging right now, and it seems that the guide would make it even more competitive. However, the Texas Restaurant Association met with the Star-Telegram to discuss how the guide’s arrival in Texas would benefit the industry as a whole.
Kelsey Streufert, chief public affairs officer for TRA, explained how the guide is “a rising tide that lifts all boats.” Meaning, restaurants that may not even be in the running for a star will still reap the benefits from the guide coming to Texas.
“Michelin mentioned Tex Mex and barbecue and all of these different styles and scenes, which is exciting,” said Streufert, “Not just the high-end kind of experiential dining that they’re often known for, but really a wide swath of restaurants, I think absolutely makes sense for Texas.”
How Michelin Guide benefits Texas
The food service industry is a huge contributor to Texas’ economy. According to TRA, “every dollar spent in a Texas restaurant generates $2.35 to our economy.” And data has also shown the great impact that a Michelin guide brings to a state’s tourism.
TRA believes that more people who visit Texas will “benefit restaurants of all kinds.“
Visitors are not only going to visit the Michelin Guide selected restaurants. They’re going to go to that taco truck for a breakfast taco in the morning. They’re going to go to that local barbecue joint, even if it doesn’t have a Michelin star.”
Also, Streufert stresses how Texas deserves this recognition. In the past, if a talented chef in Texas wanted to strive for a Michelin star, he would have to go cook somewhere else with a present guide. Now, Texas can welcome chefs and give them a playing field to also strive for worldwide recognition.
Michelin Guide Texas plans
One special thing about Texas’ Michelin Guide is that it begins with five cities.
“There’s a history of the Michelin Guide really, just starting in a city, sometimes that’s all,” said Streufert. “So, for example, Chicago has a Michelin Guide, but not Illinois. In California, that started just in San Francisco and then eventually went statewide.”
Michelin is beginning with Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and Fort Worth. And Michelin has made it clear that they intend to spread to other cities in Texas in the future.
“The whole process is guided very closely, and they keep the process very independent, which I think is part of the reason that people really trust the Michelin Guide, right? They know it’s not pay to play,” said Streufert.
We also know that Michelin inspectors have already begun their search in Texas. Inspectors always remain anonymous and pay for their meals to ensure that they are treated like any other customer.
For a restaurant to be eligible, they must meet these five criteria, according to Michelin:
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 Texas guide is expected to come out before the end of 2024, hopefully before the holiday season, TRA says.