California Michelin Guide 2022: What is a Michelin star?
From left, sous chef Gio Sarmiento, sous chef Eddie Torres, and chef de partie Tim Katz prepare for dinner service at The Kitchen on June 5, 2019. The restaurant is one of two Michelin Star-rated restaurants in Sacramento.
The annual Michelin Guide was released for California’s 2022 selection on Monday night, highlighting the top restaurants in the state “offering outstanding cooking.”
This year, the travel guide recognizes 599 California restaurants. Of those, 89 were given the coveted award: a star. Only seven of these restaurants received three stars, 12 two stars and 70 one star. There were 18 new additions to the star list in 2022. An additional 141 were recognized as Bib Gourmands for their “good food at a moderate price.”
There is no limit on the number of stars that are awarded annually.
Michelin also recommends an additional 369 restaurants across the state.
Restaurants are criticized by a collective of anonymous Michelin inspectors who dine at a restaurant until they meet a consensus to award an establishment of a star or not, according to the Michelin website.
Inspectors consider the following criteria: product quality; mastery of flavors and cooking techniques; the personality of the chef represented in the dining experience; harmony of flavors; consistency between inspectors’ visits.
A restaurant’s reputation in the culinary world can change drastically after receiving a star — or three. Here is a break down of what each star means and additional symbols you might see on this year’s Michelin guide:
One-star Michelin award
Single stars are awarded to restaurants with high quality cooking.
It must have used “top quality ingredients“and dishes are”consistently prepared to a high standard.” The Michelin Guide considers one-star restaurants to be worth a stop if you’re in the surrounding area.
Two-star Michelin award
Excellent cooking is worthy of two stars.
Restaurants are recognized for uniquely showing the evident talent of the chef through carefully crafted and flavorful dishes. Overall, the food is “refined and inspired” which, according to the Michelin Guide, is worth a detour.
Three-star Michelin award
Exceptional cuisine is awarded three stars.
The highest recognition from the Michelin Guide is a very prestigious award only given to a few restaurants. The title is awarded to restaurants that showcase “superlative cooking of chefs at the peak of their profession” and exemplify elevated artistic cooking skills.
A restaurant of this caliber is worth a special journey, according to the Michelin guide.
Bib Gourmands
Although not a star, the a bib gourmand logo is awarded to restaurants with great food for a great value. The rating is still an acknowledgment that “highlights simple yet skillful cooking at an affordable price.”
Green star Michelin award
After being introduced in the Michelin Guide France in 2020, the green star is now awarded to restaurants in every country. The green shamrock logo is an indication of restaurants leading the way in “sustainable gastronomy.”
Michelin recommended restaurants
Michelin-approved restaurants can be found on their official website. Although the recommended restaurants are not ranked by any specific logo and do not receive stars, they are still notable places to dine, according to the Michelin Guide. You can search the selection of suggested restaurants by city, cuisine and prices on its website.
Jacqueline Pinedo is a reporter on The Bee’s service journalism team. She previously interned at the Los Angeles Times and completed her master’s degree at the University of Southern California.
