The 2024 California edition features an impressive eighty-five MICHELIN Starred restaurants,
The excitement surrounding the California Michelin Guide Awards each year is nothing short of captivating for food enthusiasts, chefs, and critics alike. The 2024 edition, unveiled at the luxurious Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, underscores California's emergence as a premier global gastronomy destination, celebrating the state's remarkable culinary talent and creativity. This year, the state proudly welcomed seven new one MICHELIN Star restaurants, each offering distinct flavors and inventive dishes, along with three new two MICHELIN Star establishments that have elevated the dining experience through exceptional service and artistry. In total, this edition features an impressive eighty-five MICHELIN Starred restaurants, showcasing California's rich and diverse culinary landscape, which spans from high-end dining to charming, family-owned gems.
" We are thrilled and honored to have hosted the prestigious 2024 California Michelin Guide Awards Ceremony. The event celebrated the pinnacle of culinary excellence, and it was our privilege to bring together the exceptional talents and dedicated professionals who elevate California's dining scene. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the award recipients and look forward to continuing our support for the vibrant culinary community." - Mathieu Riviere, Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay's General Manager
The MICHELIN Guide is widely regarded as the gold standard of culinary excellence. Anonymous inspectors visit numerous restaurants, assessing them based on criteria such as ingredient quality, flavor mastery, and cooking techniques. This rigorous evaluation guarantees that each award is well-earned, showcasing the dedication and artistry of chefs and their teams. Gwendal Poullennec, the International Director of the MICHELIN Guides, aptly noted, "California continues to shine brightly as we witness the culinary scene evolve and highlight emerging talent and diverse cuisines."
Spotlight on Newly Awarded Restaurants
Rachel Sillcocks from Hilda & Jesse wins the 2024 MICHELIN Service Awards and earns a MICHELIN Star ... [+]
California has the most MICHELIN starred restaurants in the United States. Among the newly crowned two MICHELIN Star restaurants are Aubergine, Sons & Daughters, and Vespertine. Each offers a distinct culinary experience.
Aubergine in Carmel-by-the-Sea combines luxury with a sense of place. Chef Justin Cogley's dishes, such as a surprising "cabbage" taco, are testament to his ability to marry classic techniques with modern aesthetics.
Sons & Daughters in San Francisco embraces a minimalist Nordic style. Chef Harrison Cheney's tasting menu features innovative dishes like thin strands of rutabaga mimicking pasta, set in a creamy smoked pork fat sauce.
Vespertine in Culver City, which also received a Green Star, is a testament to Chef Jordan Kahn's inventive spirit. Diners are treated to a multisensory experience, with dishes like scallop with passionfruit and a visually stunning "obsidian mirror."
The one MICHELIN Star recipients include Hilda and Jesse, renowned for its bold take on brunch, and Holbox, which excels in Mexican coastal cuisine. These establishments, along with others like Kiln, Meteora, and R|O-Rebel Omakase, showcase an incredible range of flavors and styles, each offering a unique narrative.
Special Awards
Chef John Wesley of Kiln in San Francisco win MICHELIN 2024 Young Chef Award
In addition to the Bib Gourmand and Stars awards, the Guide announced four MICHELIN Special Awards, highlighting particularly skillful professionals from the industry:
MICHELIN Exceptional Cocktails Award: Trevin Hutchins from Aphotic
MICHELIN Sommelier Award: Ian Krupp from Anajak Thai
MICHELIN Outstanding Service Award: Rachel Sillcocks from Hilda & Jesse
MICHELIN Young Chef Award: John Wesley from Kiln
Trevin Hutchins from Aphotic in San Francisco wins MICHELIN 2024 Cocktail Award
The event was filled with memorable moments for me. I had the privilege of sitting front row with one MICHELIN Starred Chef Rogelio Garcia from Auro, who excitedly cheered for all the winners while broadcasting live on Instagram. I couldn't resist teasing Chef Kyle Connaughton, asking, "Why are you here? You can't win anything else!" His restaurant, SingleThread, boasts three MICHELIN stars, a Green star for sustainability, and a MICHELIN Key for the five-room inn on the property. I was also captivated by the poised passion of Chef Jordan Kahn, who took the stage three times. He earned a one MICHELIN Star for Meteora, along with two MICHELIN Stars and a Green Star for Vespertine.
Observing legends like Chef Thomas Keller and the 2024 MICHELIN Young Chef Award winner John Wesley on stage at the end of the night reassured me that California's culinary scene is in capable hands. The state's steadfast dedication to innovation and excellence promises to keep it at the forefront of global gastronomy for years to come.