Michelin guide 2015 movers and shakers round-up

Michelin season is not quite over yet as next year sees the release of guides to France and a round-up of European cities.
Here’s a summary of the results for Michelin guide 2015 for each country/region, with the total number of stars in brackets and we take a quick look at the origins of the famous culinary guide.

The Michelin Guide was first published in 1900 by brothers André and Eduardo Michelin, and started as a guide for French motorists containing information such as maps, lists of petrol stations, mechanics and hotels.

In 1922 the guide added restaurants, and listed them according to certain criteria. This lead to an increase in popularity, resulting in Michelin inspectors being recruited. In 1926 the first star accolade was created, followed by two and three stars in 1931. The criteria on which basis they were awarded was established in 1936, and hasn’t changed since.

Britain received a guide in 1931, but it wasn’t revived again till 1974. Further expansion came in 1956, when Michelin Italy was first published. Germany began to be featured in 1966. In the past ten years, Michelin has concentrated on spreading beyond Europe, launching its New York guide in 2005 and San Francisco in 2006. In 2007 it published a guide to Tokyo, and in 2008, Hong Kong and Macao. As of the moment, Michelin cover 24 countries in total.

The round-up: 

Kansai (Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Nara) - Japan
No new three stars (14)
3 new two stars (54)
16 new one stars (186)
Interesting fact: The region has the total highest amount of three star and two star restaurants.

Britain
No new three stars (4)
No new two stars (21)
14 new one stars (142)
Interesting fact: The Clove Club in Shoreditch has received a star within its first year of business.

New York
No new three stars; one less as Daniel has been demoted to two (6)
4 new two stars (9)
17 new one stars (58)
Interesting fact: Blanca got promoted from one to two stars this year, making it the only two-starred restaurant in Brooklyn.

San Francisco, Bay Area and Wine Country
2 new three stars (4)
1 new two star (6)
2 new one stars (30)
Interesting fact: This is the first time in history that the city of San Francisco has had two Michelin star restaurants.

Hong Kong and Macau
No new three stars (5)
3 new two stars (16)
11 new 1 stars (52)
Interesting fact: One-starred restaurant Tim Ho Wan is considered one of the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurants in the world.

Italy
No new three stars (8)
2 new two stars (39)
27 new one stars (285)
Interesting fact: Italy has the highest amount of one star restaurants.

Germany
No new three stars (11)
3 new two stars (38)
31 new one stars (233)
Interesting fact: This year’s results are a national record for Germany.

Chicago
1 new 1 star (2)
1 new 2 star (3)
No new 1 stars (19)
Interesting fact: Newly three starred restaurant Grace has only taken two years to receive the accolade.

Spain and Portugal
No new three stars (8)
2 new two stars (21)
21 new one stars (154)
Interesting fact: The majority of newcomers this year are located in Madrid.

Belgium and Luxembourg
No new three stars (3)
No new two stars (17)
11 new one stars (117)
Interesting fact: All three star restaurants in the region are in Belgium.

Switzerland
No new three stars (2)
No new two stars (19)
18 new one stars (96)
Interesting fact: Switzerland has the greatest number of Michelin starred restaurants per person.

Tokyo
1 new three star (12)
5 new two stars (53)
19 new one stars (161)
Interesting fact: For the first time this year, the Tokyo guide just covers the city of Tokyo, rather than last year which also covered the regions of Yokohama and Shonan.
All in all, Tokyo remains the most Michelin-starred city in the world.

By Stuart Armstrong