Sunday 29 November 2009

Michelin inspectors are coming to town!

Oh! You better watch out,
You better not cry, 
You better not pout,
I'm telling you why:
Michelin inspectors are coming to town!

They making a list,
They checking it twice,
They gonna find out
Who's naughty or nice.
Michelin inspectors are coming to town!

Yes, Michelin inspectors are in Copenhagen! What new places are on their list? Who will loose their stars? Will Copenhagen get new stars? Top restaurateurs are doing their best to impress inspectors. There will be guessed, who potentially gain new gourmet stars. Mielcke & Hurtigkarl and A/O/C/ AARØ & CO. are two bids. Generally, the inspectors like to see a stable high level over a relatively long period before awarding. However, Herman was an exception in 2009. The star was awarded to Herman, that was opened for less than a year. One thing is certain - we have to wait until March 2010, when the new version of Main Cities of Europe will be released.

Michelin publishes guidebooks in 23 countries and is one of the best-selling restaurant guides in the world. The inspectors write detailed reports, which are distilled at annual "stars meetings" into the ranking of three stars, two stars, one star or... no stars...

One star: a very good restaurant in its category
Two stars: excellent cooking, worth a detour
Three stars: exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey

Three star Michelin ranking is rare - only 81 in the world. 26 three stars restaurants exist in France (Paris got 10), New York has 4, London was awarded just one in 2009. Tokyo got the most Michelin three stars restaurants in the world - 11! Tokyo also retained its title as the city with the most stars in the world - 261 stars in 197 restaurants - triple the number awarded to Paris restaurants.

Copenhagen got 13 stars in 2009 - 11 one strar restaurants - Kokkeriet, The Paul, Era Ora, Formel B, Paustian, MR, Herman, Kong Hans Kælder, Søllerød Kro, Kiin Kiin and Ensemble (got 2 stars in 2005, unfortunately was closed this year) and 1 two stars restaurant - Noma.