"Since its launch in the early 20th century, the guide has taken its share of criticism, from both those in the club and those outside. Some chefs infamously 'returned' their awarded stars and others lamented being downgraded. Commentators called out the body for its apparent bias toward Western cuisine, and some queried the morality of locations receiving a guide based on sponsorship. But despite its flaws, the guide remains a benchmark of quality and a coveted accolade within the restaurant industry."
"The way in which we decide where to eat is changing at an unprecedented rate. Once upon a time, we ate at restaurants that were nearby and convenient. Then, critics in newspapers told us where we should go and, very often, where we should not. In recent years, it has been the online persona - the influencers - that have kept us up to date with the reservations we need to make."
"Last night, the UK and Ireland's biggest culinary stars gathered once again to find out who had been bestowed an award in the 2026 Michelin Guide. A total of 20 restaurants were awarded their first Michelin star, including Nieves Barragán Mohacho's Legado; Labombe by Trivet; Somssi, a Korean tasting-menu-first restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair; Gordon Ramsay High, a chef's table on the 60th floor of 22 Bishopsgate - all in London."
Dining choices have shifted from local convenience to newspaper critics to online influencers, changing reservation behavior. The Michelin Guide remains positioned as a directory of restaurants 'worth making a special journey for.' The Guide has faced criticism since its early 20th-century launch, including chefs returning stars, downgrades, bias toward Western cuisine, and concerns about sponsorship. Despite flaws, the Guide remains a benchmark and coveted accolade within the restaurant industry. Twenty restaurants in Great Britain and Ireland received their first Michelin star in 2026, including new London entries and regional firsts in Brighton and Hove and Sheffield.
Read at Elite Traveler
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