MACAU - Food tourism in Hong Kong and Macau got a boost yesterday as the announcement of the 12th Michelin Guide Hong Kong Macau 2020 took place at the Grand Hyatt Macau.
“To be in the room with the best chefs in the region is a true privilege for me,” said Gwendall Poullennec, international director of Michelin Guides.
New stars were awarded to 16 restaurants. Newcomers to the three-star category include Forum, where owner-chef Yeung Koon Yat’s signature Ah Yat abalone has become his most famous dish, and Sushi Shikon in its new Landmark Mandarin Oriental location. They join three-star restaurants L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Lung King Heen, 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo – Bombana, T’ang Court and Caprice in Hong Kong.
“I feel very happy, all the team is very happy. We keep working harder and harder each year - you can feel the level is getting higher and higher,” said Chef Guillaume Gaillot chef de cuisine at Four Seasons Hong Kong’s Caprice, who cited creativity and consistency as key. “Michelin is a good motivation and a big challenge for every chef.”
In Macau, Jade Dragon, Robuchon au Dôme and The Eight all retained their stars from last year. In addition, Taiwanese chef André Chiang’s Sichuan Moon at Wynn Palace jumped into two-star rating, proving that the spicy Chinese cuisine is deserving of multiple stars, and at Wynn Macau Wing Lei moved up from one to two stars, giving Macau seven two star restaurants.
Retaining one star was Golden Peacock at The Venetian Macao. “I’m very proud because this is now seven years we have a star,” said Chef Justin Paul. He looks forward to revamping the menu next year.
Of the single-star winners in Hong Kong, there were 11 new additions including new openings Roganic by Simon Rogan, Aaharn by David Thompson and Louise by Julien Royer.
“This was not really something I expected,” said Chef Royer. “The main goal in opening was not the star, but the team has been working very hard in the six months we have been open. We try to put as much love we can on the plate.”
Otto Wong, executive chef of Pearl Dragon at Studio City was celebrating his one star rating. “So many tourists come to Macau to eat as there are so many fine dining restaurant here. For Macau’s hotels in particular gastronomy is very important and the standard keeps going up getting better and better.”
There are also 65 Bib Gourmand restaurants in Hong Kong, complemented by 7 in Macau, 30 street food addresses and 93 MICHELIN Plate distinctions.
“It is thanks to your team work and creativity that the standard of gastronomy in Hong Kong and Macau is evolving at such a fast pace,” said Poullennec to the gathering of chefs. “Always looking for the finest and most delicious places, our team of inspectors have noticed that Hong Kong and Macau offer gastronomic experiences that are perfectly balanced between tradition and modernity. One can very well taste the authenticity of flavours of traditional cuisines while also being amazed by the use of modern techniques.”
Hong Kong
7 three-star restaurants, two newly promoted
12 two-star restaurants, one newly promoted
51 one-star restaurants, 11 newly promoted
65 Bib Gourmand restaurants, 3 newly promoted
Macau
3 three-star restaurants
7 two-star restaurants, two newly promoted
10 one-star restaurants
7 Bib Gourmand restaurants