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The long wait is over, and we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief. Anticipation has been at an all-time high as we eagerly awaited the results of the second edition of the Michelin Guide Bangkok, Phuket and Phang-Nga 2019. The winners were announced at a press conference that took place on November 14, 2018, and culminated in a Gala Dinner held at the Park Hyatt Bangkok, which proved to be the hottest ticket of the year for food enthusiasts and industry leaders.
Not surprisingly, all the restaurants that received their stars last year retained them, and 10 new stars were awarded this year for a total of 27 stars across the country. No one received the highly coveted; yet elusive, 3-star rating, but there are now 4 restaurants with 2 Michelin stars and 23 restaurants with 1 Michelin star.
Despite the fact that the guide broadened its reach to include Phuket and Phang-Nga for the rst time, only Phuket’s farm- to-table restaurant PRU managed to secure 1 star, while there were no restaurants in Phang-Nga that received recognition. Sühring, in Bangkok, was the big winner as they moved from a 1 to 2-star rating and joined the ranks of last year’s winners Gaggan, Le Normandie and Mezzaluna.
Crab omelet specialist Jay Fai still holds the title as the only 1 star winner in the “street food” category, while newcomers Canvas, Gaa, Methavalai Sorndaeng, PRU, R-Haan, Ruean Panya,
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Saawaan, Sorn, Suan Thip and Le Du all received 1 star for the rst time. “It’s truly a great honour to be recognised by Michelin,” shared Chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn from Le Du, “It makes me and my team even more committed to working hard to meet the expectations of our guests. The most important thing is to make sure everyone who comes to the restaurant has a good experience”.
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides, stated; “This year’s guide is a re ection of the growing talent in Thailand’s culinary scene with many new restaurants added to the selection, including 13 specialising in Thai food, reinforcing Thailand’s reputation as a go-to destination for gastronomy.”
Whether you agree or disagree with the winners, what can be said is that there does seem to be a cross section of diversity represented on the list. Stars have been awarded to street food vendors, small shop houses, and independent venues along with 5-star restaurants in high-end hotels. The culinary scene in Thailand is one of the most eclectic in South East Asia, and German, French, Indian, Japanese and European restaurants along with traditional and innovative modern Thai restaurants are all represented on the list. There’s little doubt that the arrival of the Michelin guide has had a profound effect on the gastronomic scene in Thailand since its arrival and will continue to do so in the years ahead. · Chef