Chef Magazine for Thailand December/January | Page 22

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 first 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
first 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 reflection 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