Philippines' first MICHELIN Guide to be unveiled in October
It’s an exciting time for the country’s culinary scene!
Featuring a restaurant selection for Manila, nearby provinces, and Cebu, the Philippines’ first MICHELIN Guide is set to be released at a ceremony “dedicated to honoring the country's vibrant culinary identity, diverse traditions, and exceptional talent” on Oct. 30.
According to a press release sent to PhilSTAR L!fe, each establishment that made it to the guide was assessed by anonymous MICHELIN Guide inspectors independently with five globally applied criteria in mind to ensure that every awarded restaurant "meets a world-class standard of excellence." These include the quality of ingredients, mastery of technique, harmony of flavors, personality of the chef through the cuisine, and consistency.
Apart from the official unveiling of the guide, the one-night affair will put the spotlight on the Bib Gourmand Selection as well as the MICHELIN Guide Special Awards that will recognize “outstanding individuals” who made a mark in key areas of the industry.
There will also be a premium cocktail reception prepared by talented chefs behind the following MICHELIN-starred restaurants:
- Caprice (Three MICHELIN Stars, MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2025) by Chef Guillaume Galliot
- Dewakan (Two MICHELIN Stars, MICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2025) by Chef Darren Teoh
- Kasama (One MICHELIN Star, MICHELIN Guide Chicago 2025) the world's first Filipino restaurant to receive a MICHELIN star, by Chef Tim Flores and Chef Genie Kwon
- VEA (One MICHELIN Star, MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2025) by Chef Vicky Cheng
- Newly awarded restaurants in the first Filipino selection
The October event will be live-streamed via the MICHELIN Guide Asia's YouTube channel.
In February, it was revealed that the MICHELIN Guide started evaluating restaurants in Metro Manila and Cebu for possible MICHELIN stars in its 2026 edition. MICHELIN Guide's International Director Gwendal Poullennec said their inspectors "have been following the evolution of the Filipino culinary scene with great excitement" at the time.
"The MICHELIN Guide’s recognition will further elevate Filipino cuisine on the international stage and expand global appreciation for the country’s diverse and dynamic food culture," the company said.
MICHELIN Guide
The MICHELIN Guide was created by the French tire company of the same name in 1900.
At the time, France had less than 3,000 cars and to increase the demand for cars—and tires—the company created guides that included maps, tire repair and replacement instructions, car mechanics listings, gas stations, hotels, and restaurants throughout the country.
Later on, the guide awarded stars to restaurants.
One MICHELIN star is given to a "very good restaurant in its category"; two stars to a restaurant that has "excellent cooking, worth a detour; and three stars to a restaurant with “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.”
In 1997, the company awarded restaurants a Bib Gourmand for having “exceptionally good food at moderate prices.”
In 2016, it gave the Plate for restaurants with “simply good food" and in 2020, a Green Star for excellence in "sustainable gastronomy.”
In 2022, Kasama, a Filipino bakery and modern restaurant in Chicago in Illinois, earned a MICHELIN star.