Michelin to now guide the Singapore food scenes !

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As a potpourri of various cultures and cuisines, the cosmopolitan city of Singapore has always been the foodie’s paradise.Like most of us, I never had a doubt about its status as a global culinary destination.

During my recent trip. I could feel the various influences in the Singaporean palate. Be it the Singaporean Chilli crab or the Malay inspired Laksa , or the Chinese immigrant bought Hainanese chicken rice, or the South Indian Curry Fish Head, or the Singapore Hokkien Mee noodles or the Indonesian satay or Malayasian Stingray Sambal, the Singaporean culinary trail will never disappoint anyone.

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With the launch of Michelin guide in Singapore 2016, it has further affirmed its status as a international food destination. Thus Singapore became only the fourth Asian country to be rated by the Michelin Guide.The Japan, Hong Kong and Macau being the first three.

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(Image source: Michelin Guide Singapore website)

Now coming to the laurels, Joël Robuchon Restaurant at Resorts World Sentosa became the first ever Three star Michelin restaurant of the Lion city. Led by perhaps the world’s most decorated chef , Joël Robuchon , the restaurant is known for serving French haute cuisine with unparalleled precision (as aptly mentioned in their website).Conferred Chef of the Century by the Gault Millau guide in 1990, he is a living legend in the culinary field.

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Unlike the lone 3 star, there were five nominations in the Michelin 2 stars list.

Restaurant Andre , known for its innovative progressive cuisine under Taiwanese born Chef André Chiang.

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon , under the culinary excellence of most decorated Chef Joël Robuchon , serves French contemporary cuisine.

Les Amis , that claims to be the first independent fine-dining restaurant in Singapore and serves the french cuisine.

Odette , a french restaurant situated at the iconic national Gallery Singapore.

Shisen Hanten, a Chinese Szechwan returant by Chen Kentaro at Hotel Mandarin Orchard Singapore.

Shoukouwa , the sushi place at One Fullerton, Singapore.

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Michelin announced 22 dining places as 1 star list.The list is as follows:

Alma, European contemporary
The Kitchen at Bacchanalia, Innovative
Béni, French contemporary
Candlenut, Peranakan
Corner House, Innovative
Crystal Jade Golden Palace, Chinese
Cut, Steakhouse
Forest, Chinese contemporary
Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle, Street food
Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice
& Noodle, Street food
Jaan, French contemporary
Lei Garden, Cantonese
Osia, Australian contemporary
Putien (Kitchener Road), Fujian
Rhubarb, French
Shinji (Beach Road), Sushi
Shinji (Tanglin Road), Sushi
Summer Pavillion, Cantonese
Sushi Ichi, Sushi
Terra, Italian
The Song of India, Indian
Waku Ghin, Japanese

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(Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle – The First ever Michelin star Street hawker at China Street, Singapore)

The Michelin Inspection Process

Many of us must be wondering how these restaurants are being rated. This task is entrusted to the Michelin Guide’s restaurant inspectors , a job that has always made me envy of them.These full-time Michelin Group employees dine out regularly and are entrusted to put forth the best consumer recommendations for hotels and restaurant experiences.

Assessment Criteria

Globally, there is the uniform assessment process followed by the Michelin Guide’s restaurant inspectors. They always dine out in anonymity and pay for their meals. This is to ensure the impartiality and independence of their opinion. Their experience has to be rated according to five point assessment criteria:

the ingredients quality
Proficiency of cooking techniques and flavors
The personality of the chef in his cuisine
Value for money
Consistency of dishes / menu between visits

The parameters like ambiance,service standards and facilities offered are not considered for the awarding star ratings.On the contrary to public belief, restaurant inspectors DO NOT look at interior decor, table setting, or service quality in awarding stars –

The Comfort and Quality parameters are indicated below, represented by the fork and spoon symbol. mobile_stars-comfort-quality_v2

(Image source: Michelin Guide Singapore website)

What impresses me most are the core values that has always been upheld during this entire process.The six core values of Anonymity , Independence, Expertise, Reliability , Passion and Quality are fundamental to the Michelin Guide that believes in “its founding mission of fostering a culture of travel and eating out, and its promise of helping people make the right choice”.

I hope that the next year there will be more Michelin starred places in Singapore.I feel there are lot many restaurants and eateries that deserve this recognition.Also just wondering when will India be part of the Michelin Food movement.