A star-studded MICHELIN Guide Ceremony for Miami, Orlando, and Tampa 2024

Who: The MICHELIN Guide Florida

What: Ceremony for Miami, Orlando, and Tampa

When: April 18th, 2024

Where: Tampa EDITION Hotel

Third time’s the charm? Absolutely! Florida’s third MICHELIN Guide Ceremony needs its very own star—chic, exclusive, and grand. Orlando and Miami took turns hosting the last few years, but Thursday’s event confirmed Tampa would not be left behind. They came to play, and dare I say it, they won.

Held at the Tampa EDITION Hotel, guests filled the lobby area and awaited the green light to enter. Security detail filled the room throughout the night, something I never noticed at other ceremonies (not even at the New York celebration late last year). A first elevator stop led guests to a check-in floor, followed by a second elevator ride to the actual event space. A couple of luxurious lounge areas offered delightful bites (Petrossian Caviar, bites from One MICHELIN Star Lilac, Orlando Bib Gourmand Bombay Street Kitchen, and Miami Bib Gourmand Chug’s Diner) and endless sips. A third larger space provided additional refreshments, the stage area where the ceremony would take place, and even a meet and greet opportunity with the VIP of the night, Bibendum.

But let’s get to why you are here: the star-studded scoop.

Opening remarks by the MICHELIN Guide’s International Director Gwendal Poullenec, host Java Ingram, Santiago C. Corrada (President and CEO of Visit Tampa), Dana Young (Visit Florida CEO), David Whitaker (Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau CEO), and Cassandra Matej (CEO of Visit Orlando) kicked off the event.

Special Awards followed. Boia De’s Gabriela Ospina scored the night’s Sommelier Award, and Tam Pham of Tam Tam charmed with his Young Chef Award.

**Chart Courtesy of the MICHELIN Guide.**

The evening was not without its surprises. Coconut Grove’s Los Felix and Krüs Kitchen took home the new-to-Florida Green Star award, a decision that left many in attendance shocked. The award was widely expected to go to longtime Miami Chef Niven Patel (Bib Gourmand Ghee), who is known for his farm-to-table approach. Patel resides at, owns, and operates a 2-acre farm in Homestead, Florida which is the primary source of produce for all his restaurants. Would it be a MICHELIN Guide ceremony without an unexpected twist? I think not.

By night’s end, the MICHELIN Guide inspectors awarded stars to 26 restaurants. For Miami, that meant 39 recommended restaurants, 18 Bib Gourmands, and 14 Starred. Of the stars, three new restaurants joined the existing stars: EntreNos, Ogawa, and Shingo. Of course, if you listened to my Perspective & Predictions Episode, you would have already known that would happen. L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon remained the only two MICHELIN-Starred location.

But that’s not all. The camaraderie amongst South Florida’s finest luminaries was displayed to the world when the Miami stars took the stage while loudly chanting, “3-Oh-5! 3-Oh-5! 3-Oh-5!” —our area code and a testament to our city’s culinary pride. Where is Only in Dade when you need them? I sure didn’t see Orlando and Tampa do that. Miami had to Miami, and I was so there for it, chanting along.

Best. Image. Ever. Let’s hear it for the 305! **Photo Courtesy of the MICHELIN Guide & BFA**

Immediately following the ceremony, the EDITION’s rooftop pool opened for event guests, and the official After Party kicked off. The festivities continued with a Grilled Tomahawk by Halperns’ (smoked labneh, kalamata sun-dried tomato chimichurri) that I am still thinking about and a decadent dessert spread I visited several times. An open bar, live music, and made-to-order weather sealed the night. The post-ceremony activities were a perfect way to unwind and celebrate the success of quite the stellar evening.

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COMING SOON: A follow-up podcast episode going behind the scenes at the MICHELIN Guide Florida Ceremony and my candid take on the Miami results. Stay tuned…