New Michelin Guide is out—who retained their Stars?
The Michelin Guide is back, lauding the most outstanding dining experiences the country—specifically Manila, its environs and Cebu—has to offer.
This year’s Michelin-starred, Bib Gourmand, and Michelin-selected restaurants were unveiled at the second Michelin Guide ceremony held on Oct. 29 at the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Manila Hotel at Newport World Resorts.
Last year, eight restaurants received One Michelin Star, a distinction that means “high quality cooking, worth a stop.” Helm, chef Josh Boutwood’s restaurant, received the highest distinction, becoming the only establishment in the country to get Two Michelin Stars, which mean “excellent cooking, worth a detour.”
At the awarding ceremony this year, there was one big question on everyone’s minds: Who will be retaining their stars?
Host Issa Litton said, “Because the guide is reassessed every year, being part of the selection or keeping a distinction is not automatic. Holding on to one year after year is an achievement in its own right.”
The happy news is that all the restaurants who had received Stars last year were able to retain their distinction. Once again, Asador Alfonso, Celera, Gallery by Chele, Hapag, Inatô, Kasa Palma, Linamnam and Toyo Eatery were each given One Michelin Star.
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Helm, too, was able to retain its Two Stars. Boutwood said onstage, “My team has been endlessly working day and night to make sure that our quality of service, our experience is identical since day one, and we try to make minor improvements every single day. Here I am today very happy and thrilled. A massive thank you to my team.”
There’s a new addition to the country’s list of Michelin-Starred establishments. Flow, a cross-cultural fine dining restaurant in Makati, also received One Michelin Star.
Thirty-one establishments received a Bib Gourmand, a distinction given to best value-for-money restaurants.
Retaining their Bib Gourmand recognition from last year are Abaseria Deli & Cafe, Bolero, Brick Corner, Cabel, Cochi, Em Hà Nội, Esmen, Kumba, La Pita, Lampara, Lasa, Los Tacos, Manam at the Triangle, Morning Sun Eatery, Palm Grill (Diliman), Pilya's Kitchen, Sarsa, Some Thai (Tomas Morato), Taquería Franco, The Pig & Palm and The Underbelly.
Ato-Ah and Butcher Boy, both Michelin-Selected last year, are now Bib Gourmand awardees.
New restaurants given the Bib Gourmand award also include Apag Marangle, Ato-Ah, Azela (Manila), Balay Dako, Bawai’s Vietnamese, Butcher Boy, C.H.E. Bacolod Chicken House Express, Kalipay!, Tatang’s Lechon and Tito Boy.
Last year’s Michelin-Selected restaurants who made it to this year’s selection again are 12/10, Abli, Aida's Chicken, Antonio’s, Aurora, Automat, Ayà, Benjarong, Blackbird, Cantabria by Chele Gonzalez, Canton Road, Carmelo's Steakhouse, Chie Chie's Pancit Batil Patung, China Blue, Cirkulo, Coco, Cru Steakhouse, Deo Gracias, Dip, El Poco Cantina (Malate), Ember, Enye by Chele Gonzalez, Fong Wei Wu, Fresca Trattoria, Ginza Nagaoka, Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill, Goxo, Hálong, House of Lechon, Iai, Juniper, Kamakura, Kei, Kodawari (Salcedo), Lantaw (Compostela), Locavore (Taguig), Lola Helen, Lore, Mamacita (Taguig), Man Ho, Maya, Metiz, Now Now, Oak & Smoke,
Offbeat, Old Manila, Origine, Osteria Antica, Pablo, Papillon, People's Palace, Ramen Ron (Makati), Sala, Seva, Sialo, Socarrat, Steak & Frice, Summer Palace, Super Uncle Claypot (Makati), Tandem, Taupe, Terraza Martinez, The Test Kitchen, Txanton, Uma Nota, Umu, Yamazato and Your Local.
New Michelin-Selected restaurants this year are Abé (Taguig), Bombvinos Bodega, Cyria’s Kandingan, Digámo, Elaia by Cyma, Haliya, Idalia, Kokeek’s Manokan, Kong, Kumedor, Liyab, Makanai, Marjo’s Pochero, Mila’s Tokwa’s Baboy (San Andres), Oyster Bay, Playa (Gov. M. Cuenco Avenue), Souq and Tadhana.
A total of 127 establishments in Metro Manila, Cavite, Pampanga and Cebu were recognized.
Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides said, “A new generation of talented chefs continues to emerge, while many Filipino chefs who have built experience abroad are returning home and bringing a new finesse to local ingredients and regional cuisines. Our inspectors have also been impressed by the diversity of regional food cultures and the continued progress of the dining scene.”
Special awards were also handed out. The Young Chef Award, presented by Wisk Fine Foods, was given to chef Francis Lacson of Digámo. The Michelin Service Award, presented by Mazda, was given to Clyde Joshua Zafra of Tito Boy, while Ron Job Sanchez of Automat got the Exceptional Cocktails Award.
The Opening of the Year Award, an award that’s new to the Philippines, was given to Frances Tariga who opened the now Michelin-Selected Tadhanà earlier this year. As she accepted the award, the chef said, “I’m so proud to be a FIlipino right now.”
At the ceremony, President Bongbong Marcos congratulated the chefs. “Thank you for your hard work, your creativity, and your passion. Every memorable dish is a product of many hands, years of practice, deep respect for ingredients and recipes passed down through many generations. Tonight, we celebrate your achievements… Let us welcome the world to our table with good food and the warmth of Filipino hospitality. Maraming salamat at mabuhay ang lutong Pinoy.”
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