Australia has earned its first Michelin stars, but only restaurants in one state made the cut. The Michelin Guide awarded 11 venues in South Australia its coveted recognition, with Adelaide’s Magill Estate Restaurant taking home two stars — the only two-star honor in the batch — while ten other establishments received one star each.
The distinction came about because South Australia’s state government paid to bring in Michelin’s anonymous inspectors, a move confirmed by national broadcaster ABC. That’s also why restaurants elsewhere in Australia weren’t considered. Tourism Minister Emily Bourke defended the undisclosed spending, saying it would help put the state “on the world map.” The deal echoes New Zealand’s own arrangement with Michelin earlier this year, reportedly worth about NZ$6.3 million (roughly $3.5 million) over three years, which made it the first country in Oceania to join the guide.
Magill Estate’s chef and owner, Scott Huggins, who trained in Michelin-starred kitchens in Europe and Japan, said earning the honor had been a lifelong dream. Other winners include Arkhé, known for open-fire cooking, and Aptos, which highlights native Australian ingredients in its tasting menu.
Founded in France in 1900 to promote road travel — and tire sales — the guide introduced its star system in 1926. Today, more than 70 additional South Australian restaurants appear in the wider guide, some recognized under its budget-friendly Bib Gourmand category.
For the full list of winners and more details, check out the original BBC report.
Source: Australia's first-ever Michelin stars go to 11 restaurants in one state (feeds.bbci.co.uk).
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