The Whet Palette Productions Travel Ft. Lauderdale

by The Whet Palette Productions: Blog & Podcast

Starstruck in the Sunshine State: MICHELIN Guide Florida Ceremony 2025 Returns to Orlando

Orlando hosted the 2025 MICHELIN Guide Florida Ceremony, awarding 31 stars, including one new Two MICHELIN Star and four One MICHELIN Stars. The event celebrated Florida’s culinary expansion, highlighting its growing status as a culinary destination. Noteworthy achievements included the new Green Stars for sustainability, totaling 172 recognized eateries.

Florida’s Culinary Scene Shines with 2025 MICHELIN Guide Expansion

In a short press release this morning, the MICHELIN Guide announced it will finally begin an expansion this year by including restaurants in Greater Fort Lauderdale (say hellooooo MAASS), The Palm Beaches (perhaps KONRO?), and St. Pete-Clearwater.

The more significant, unexpected, and thrilling news is that beginning in 2026, the Guide will become statewide. That’s right, from the Florida Keys and way north to where the sun still shines in Pensacola and Jacksonville, the star Gods might favor you too.

S4 E58 Florida Chef Spotlight: Ryan Ratino of MAASS, Bresca, Jônt and Ômo by Jônt

Chef Ryan Ratino began his culinary journey in Florida while attending Orlando’s Le Cordon Bleu in 2009.

Life has come full circle. Not only does he own D.C.’s One Michelin-starred Bresca and Two Michelin-starred JÔN, but he is now back in Florida. MAASS (Fort Lauderdale) and Ômo by Jônt (Orlando) join the Hive Hospitality portfolio.

We discuss it all in this episode.

Regina’s Farm: A Wholesome Brazilian Dinner Experience in Fort Lauderdale

Homestyle Cuisine in a Family-Friendly Atmosphere Once a week on Saturdays, Regina’s Farm aims to provide guests with a unique Brazilian homestyle dinner experience. In doing so, the non-profit organization raises funds for the Las Olas Worship Center. Led by Regina Rodrigues, the project organically began at her home, across the street from her church. Feeling nostalgic about […]

BROWARD COUNTY FAVORITES

Consider this the answer to “Hey Bren, can you recommend a good restaurant in Broward?”

MY FAVORITE BROWARD COUNTY RESTAURANTS

A Va Va Voom Miami Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is almost here again. Do you have plans yet? I’m not one to go out of my way to dine on February 14th (mostly because I hate crowds and the annual urgency everyone has to plan a special dinner on that very day). With careful planning though, a unique experience can be had without it feeling […]

My Top Restaurant Choices – 2014

With so many incredible dining options, narrowing my favorite restaurants down always proves to be a difficult task. This list of favorites is different than last month’s Miami Michelin Guide Selections post (where I chose what I think are South Florida’s BEST restaurants, worthy of a Michelin nod). The criteria for the following list is more […]

The Whet Palette Turns One!

I can’t believe it has been a year already! Allow me to whet your appetite by taking a quick look back at the posts I shared with you this past year. South Florida Strip Mall Jewels: Part 1 “It is hard to have a day go by where we don’t visit a strip mall. You […]

My Top Restaurant Choices – 2013

“What is your favorite restaurant?” Why is that such a hard question for me to answer? It’s the one question I receive time and time again, and it is almost impossible for me to answer on the spot. There are many variables I always consider before answering. I suppose I could compose several basic lists […]