‘Some surprises’: Michelin’s most affordable picks
Iconic Australian chef Maggie Beer was among the crowd at last night’s prestigious award ceremony and gave InDaily her hot takes on the results. Plus, see the 16 spots that took home a prize named after the famed Michelin Man.
Last night, 77 South Australian restaurants made it into the Australian-first Michelin Guide, with 16 called out specifically for great food at approachable prices.
Australian chef and cookbook author Maggie Beer was among the top chefs waiting to see who made the list, and told InDaily after the ceremony that there were “some surprises”.
But she could not be drawn on who she thought was robbed, saying “No, no, I am not going to put my foot in it in that way”.
“I’m thrilled for Magill Estate,” she said, with the restaurant based at Adelaide’s famed Penfolds winery the only dining spot to be awarded two Michelin stars.
“And I thought Aptos [by chef Justin James] might have got two, I was surprised that they didn’t.”
Aptos was awarded one Michelin Star, James saying that given his Hills restaurant had only completed 87 services since opening earlier this year, receiving one was an honour.
Maggie also said Mediterranean-inspired restaurant Staġuni by chef Clare Falzon was one she “would have put there” but “there’s always next year”.
SA holds an exclusive agreement with Michelin that means the guide can not expand interstate for at least 12 months, cementing the state’s first-in-country status.
The mystery diners from the guide will return and continue to produce Michelin Guides for five years under the current agreement.
The Michelin Guide began as a way for the sponsor company to wear out drivers’ tyres, so it should be no surprise it is “all about the detour”, which SA excels in with regions like Clare Valley, the Barossa, Fleurieu and Adelaide Hills regions receiving well-deserved inclusions.
Inaugural award winners for Michelin’s Australia debut included Shōbōsho chef Shakaan Abillion, who won Michelin’s Young Chef Award.
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The judges said he was “young, but his cooking carries the assurance of someone who has already seen a great deal”.
Other top awards went to French Sommelier Maxime Martin at Hardy’s Verandah, and the Service Award went to Melissa Pisanelli from the Michelin-selected Allegra Dining Room.
Another top gong that is part of the programme is the Bib Gourmand – named after the famed Michelin man called Bibendum or ‘Bib’, this award recognises restaurants offering high-quality food for great value for money. See the full list of the affordable, delicious spots that won this acknowledgement below.
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