Tonight marks a massive night for Philadelphia foodies as the prestigious Michelin Guide includes the city of Brotherly Love in its Northeast Dining Guide.
On Tuesday, Nov. 18, the guide will reveal which restaurants in our area will earn a coveted Michelin Star, or even possibly two or three of them.
For the owner of Sao Restaurant and Mawn, Phila Lorn says that James Beard awards and the possibility of a Michelin Star will keep customers coming and his employees working.
“Most of the time it’s a thankless job so any award, any nod, is a huge thank you in this industry. Of ours, Michelin is the biggest ‘thank you,’” Lorn explained.
Having the Michelin Guide finally covering Philadelphia is quite a thing.
Cities have to basically pay to get the Guide to come, but the Philly Visitors Bureau wouldn’t talk money, telling NBC10 that it is a “partnership.”
But, folks in the restaurant industry here say that either way it would be money well spent.
Restaurant selection will follow Michelin’s historical methodology, based on five universal criteria:
- 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
“It could attract more attention to Philly which drives more people to eat here, which helps uplift the culinary scene. I also hope it attracts more talent, more people want to come and cook in Philly,” food sales representative Andrew Campisi said.
The Guide was first published by the popular tire company in France at the turn of the 20th century to encourage travel, which also helped encourage tire sales.
The event that will reveal which restaurants earned a star at the Kimmel Center on Tuesday is invite only.
There is a watch party happening at McGillin’s Olde Ale House in Center City.
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