Michelin rewards Vietnamese food innovators

Vietnam is on the move when it comes to global recognition of its cuisine. 

For the first time, the number of restaurants with Michelin stars has gone into double figures. 

In its fourth edition, the 2026 Michelin Guide selection in Vietnam showcases 193 dining establishments, including 11 one-star eateries (two new) and 72 Bib Gourmand (11 new). 

Onvit (Hanoi) becomes the first Korean contemporary restaurant in Vietnam awarded a star while the other newcomer is Upstairs (Ho Chi Minh City),a tiny spot above a wine bar offering modern Vietnamese tasting menus (top image). 

The new star holders join retaining one-star restaurants: Gia, Hibana by Koki and Tầm Vị (Hanoi); Long Trieu, Ănăn Saigon, Akuna, CieL and CoCo Dining (Ho Chi Minh City); and La Maison 1888 (Da Nang).

"In four years, we have watched Vietnam grow from an exciting discovery into a clear and confident culinary destination," said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide.

"What excites us most this year is the talent and passion behind each restaurant. A new generation of Vietnamese chefs is leading the way, with young cooks who have trained abroad and come home to cook food that is unmistakably their own: rooted in local ingredients, local memories and local pride.

"That is exactly what the Michelin Guide has always sought to honour.

"As we mark a century of the Star, Vietnam reminds us that local gastronomic stories are still being written, and that some of the most exciting chapters are unfolding right here."

Michelin Guide coming to Australia: but only to one state

The world-renowned Michelin Guide is coming to Australia - but only to the state of South Australia.

The inaugural restaurant selection will be revealed in October and will span the region.

The Michelin Guide was created in 1900 by the Michelin tyre company to support the growth of automobile mobility, guiding travellers and foodies to the best restaurants. 

The restaurant selection in South Australia will be made according to the guide's historic methodology  

“South Australia offers an impressive diversity of culinary expressions within a single destination,” said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide. 

“The strength of its identity lies in the freedom chefs enjoy defining their own voice, guided by outstanding produce, a strong relationship to the land and a confident openness to global influences. 

"Our Inspectors were struck by the authenticity and personality of the region’s dining culture, and we are delighted to spotlight South Australia on the Michelin Guide stage.”

The arrival of the Michelin Guide in South Australia is supported by the Government of South Australia. There is always money involved. 

“We are proud to welcome the Michelin Guide to South Australia,” said the state minister for tourism Emily Bourke. 

‘Today’s announcement is a fantastic recognition of what we already know: our state sits atop the nation’s foodie must-visit list. 

"With its mix of culture, food, wine, and natural beauty, South Australia offers a vibrant calendar of food festivals and wine events, celebrating culinary excellence, from city dining experiences to regional gourmet celebrations, and we look forward to sharing this with Michelin Guide readers around the world’.

Also, South Australia does not have the long established Good Food Guides, published by the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

Image: South Australian capital Adelaide. Supplied. 

Michelin turns its beady eyes to wine

First it was restaurants. Then hotels. Now Michelin is turning its hand to rating wines. 

The Michelin Guide this week announced plans to introduce a three-tier ‘Grapes’ system to rate wine producers. 

Burgundy and Bordeaux (how very predictable) will be the first regions to be assessed in 2026. 

Michelin has unveiled a new global distinction for wine, expanding the Guide’s long-established expertise in gastronomy into vineyard assessments for the first time. 

The new system, called the Michelin Grapes, will award one, two or three Grapes to wine estates, alongside a “Selected” category for producers chosen for regular review. 

Described as "a new benchmark for wine lovers", Michelin says the move offers wine enthusiasts a trusted reference point for discovering producers worldwide. 

The Grapes will evaluate estates using five criteria: agronomy, technical mastery, identity, balance and consistency across vintages. All assessments will be carried out by a team of professional wine inspectors employed by the Michelin Group. 

Gwendal Poullennec, International Director for the Michelin Guide, told reporters: “After having oriented wine-lovers towards the finest tables in more than 70 destinations and to the world’s most elegant hotels, the Michelin Guide is delighted to open a new chapter with the world of wine. 

"This new reference is designed for both the curious amateur and the most ardent expert.” 

He added that the distinction rewards “the people who are building the most demanding vineyards around the world.” 

Three Grapes will recognise “exceptional producers” whose wines can be relied upon “whatever the vintage”. Two Grapes will go to “excellent producers” that stand out within their peer group and region, while one Grape highlights “very good producers” crafting wines of character, particularly in strong vintages. 

The “Selected” category identifies dependable producers chosen for continued review. 

The inspectors are described as "seasoned professionals", including former sommeliers, specialised critics and production experts, selected for their ability to apply the methodology “with rigour and integrity”. 

To be honest I couldn't give a damn what these instant experts say. They will need to earn respect over the several years.   

Image: Ben Donath, Scop.io

First Michelin stars; now Michelin keys

Everyone knows about the Michelin stars awarded to outstanding restaurants, but now prepare to say hello to Michelin keys, which will be given to top-notch hotels.

The Michelin Guide has revealed plans for a new recognition of  “establishments offering exceptional hotel and travel experiences”.

It seems as if the initiative is designed to help drive bookings through the Michelin website.

The Michelin key will see hotels and accommodation anonymously reviewed and potentially awarded a key.

More than 5,000 properties worldwide will be featured when the list is published in the first half of 2024.

The group said that: “In response to the hyper standardization of accommodation (design, interior decoration, attention to detail in the room, etc), we wish to arouse the emotion of customers by directing them towards establishments that excel in all areas - architectural choices, the art of craftsmanship and detail to doing a job, and asserting your own personality.”

It said that the guide would recommend hotels across 120 countries, “with varied price ranges and diverse styles”, based on the following five criteria:

* A destination unto itself: the hotel contributes to the local experience
* Excellence in architecture and interior design
* Quality and regularity of service, comfort and maintenance
* Singularity reflecting the personality of the establishment, its unique character
* Consistency between the quality of the experience and the price paid

Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, said: “The Michelin key is a clear, reliable indication for travellers. Just as the Michelin star distinguishes those restaurants that are at the peak of their art, the Michelin key recognizes the most exceptional hotels throughout the world.

"It is also an acknowledgment of the teamwork of committed enthusiastic hospitality professionals."

For details see https://guide.michelin.com/en/article/news-and-views/michelin-guide-hotels-distinction-michelin-key

Toronto gourmets have a cause for celebration

There is much excitement in multicultural Toronto, with local gourmets celebrating the news that the city is the first Canadian destination to get a Michelin Guide. 

Destination Toronto and Mayor John Tory made the announcement.

Mayor Tory says he hopes the Michelin Guide will help spread the word about Toronto as a culinary destination to travellers around the world. 

"This is an exciting moment for our city as Toronto will become the first Michelin Guide destination in Canada," Tory said. 

"This further bolsters our reputation as a world destination for food and cuisine. Our diverse city, along with the many renowned chefs who call Toronto home, have helped us get to this point and to be able to showcase all of the wonderful restaurants." 

I'll be visiting Toronto soon and hope to check out a couple of the city standouts. 

"For the first time in its history, the Michelin Guide lands in Canada, and our inspectors are excited to experience the impressive culinary landscape of Toronto," said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides.

The inaugural edition of the Michelin Guide Toronto will be released during Canada's autumn 2022, with a selection of restaurants receiving honours.

# Air Canada offers daily direct flights to Vancouver from Sydney. From June 6 to September 5 (Monday, Thursday and Saturday), Air Canada will increase its service to twice daily from Sydney to Vancouver. 

From July 3, Air Canada's Brisbane-Vancouver direct flights will resume four times per week. Direct flights from Sydney to Vancouver are also available on Qantas. 

Internal flights are available throughout Canada from all major cities, in addition to Via Rail train service.

For more details on visiting Canada, see www.keepexploring.com.au

Cognac sales soar around the globe

Cognac is one of the drinks du jour with producers saying sales have never been stronger. 

Sales figures for 2021 suggest new grape plantings will be needed soon as the French region of Charente struggles to keep up with demand, the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac says. 

"The demand for Cognac has never been so strong in our markets," says Christophe Veral, president of the association. 

"Cognac remains marked by a very strong momentum," Veral said. "We are recording very good shipment results in 2021. 

"We end the year with an increase of +16.2% in volume and +30.9% in value compared to 2020. 

"This result in value stems from a relative growth of old qualities and a good valuation of Cognac on its buoyant markets. 

"Demand for Cognac has never been as strong on our markets as this year. Despite the uncertainties related to weather conditions, the 2021 harvest allows us to support the continuation of our growth, while all the available data lead us to be reasonably optimistic for the year 2022."

Figures show that 20 years ago the sector shipped 117 million bottles per year worldwide but 2021 figures were close to 230 million, Vitisphere reported. 

There are plans to exceed the milestone of 350 million bottles by 2035 as Cognac is increasingly used in high-end cocktails as well as a stand-alone drink. 

In other good news for Cognac, the Michelin Guide France will unveil its 2022 edition on March 22 from the Cognac region. 

"A benchmark of French excellence, and a global jewel in terms of spirits, Cognac and the Charente region will host the best of French gastronomy talent:" the association said in a statement. 

The BNIC was founded in 1946 to promote the drinks of the region.