The Michelin Guide announces this Tuesday night, in the Spanish city of Toledo, which are the restaurants in Portugal and Spain distinguished in the 2023 edition, which the publication promises to be “historic” for Portuguese gastronomy.
Portugal currently has seven restaurants with two Michelin stars (“excellent cuisine, worth a detour”), 26 with one star (“first class cuisine, worth stopping by”), and no top-rated restaurants (three stars, “a kitchen, justifies the trip”).
In the 2022 edition, five Portuguese restaurants obtained the first star -Al Sud (Lagos), A Ver Tavira (Tavira), Cura (Lisbon), Esporão (Reguengos de Monsaraz) and Vila Foz (Porto)-, maintaining all the distinctions previous .
A Michelin Guide source told Lusa that this will be “a historic year” for Portugal.
The organization of the publication told the Spanish news agency EFE that, in the 2023 edition, there will be “many stars”, who will be “widely distributed, both in large cities and in smaller towns” in both countries.
The ‘green stars’ return for the third consecutive year, an initiative of the Michelin Guide to recognize the commitment to sustainability. In 2022, the Portuguese Il Galo d’Oro (Funchal, two Michelin stars) and Esporão (Reguengos de Monsaraz, one star) were awarded.
The prizes that distinguish a mentor chef and a young cook, launched in the previous edition, are once again awarded, and this year there is, as a novelty, an award that highlights the work of the room to achieve a perfect gastronomic experience.
To award the stars to the restaurants, the inspectors, who work anonymously, assess the quality of the products, mastery of cooking points and textures, the balance and harmony of flavors, the personality of the kitchen and regularity.
This year, Toledo was the city chosen to host the presentation gala, which was attended by around 700 guests and which will take place at the El Greco Conference Center.
After the gala, a meal will be served, highlighting the products of Castilla-La Mancha, coordinated by the chefs of two local restaurants, both with two stars: Ivan Cerdeño (Iván Cerdeño restaurant) and Fran Martínez (Maralba).
The Michelin Guide Spain and Portugal 2022 includes 1,362 restaurants in Spain, Portugal and Andorra, of which 11 have three stars, 40 have two stars and 211 have one; 29 with the ‘green star’; 284 Bib Gourmand (good value for money) and 816 recommended for the quality of its cuisine.
Created at the beginning of the 20th century to help travelers on their journeys, the Michelin Guide is now considered a world reference in restaurant ratings. Portugal entered the script in 1910.
Source: TSF
