TO celebrate the success of several eateries in Penang being recognised by the Michelin Guide recently, the Penang government hosted the ‘Penang is Michelin Star-Glazed’ ceremony at the Amari SPICE Penang tonight.
The special ceremony was to acknowledge and recognise all the awardees from Penang for the Year 2023 Michelin Guide.
In a special ceremony that was held in Kuala Lumpur in December last year by Michelin Guide, 46 food establishments in Penang were awarded Michelin 1 Star, Bib Gourmand and Michelin Selected categories in the 2023 Michelin Guide.
Of 46 eateries, two of them were awarded one Michelin Star. They are Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery, which serves Peranakan cuisine made from Chef Auntie Gaik’s secret recipes and quality products, and Au Jardin Restaurant, which specialises in sophisticated European fare with subtle local twists.
The Michelin Guide has a ranking system in place for one, two and three-starred eateries (three stars being the highest and most revered).
Meanwhile, 17 other restaurants in the state were awarded the Bib Gourmand, which recognises ‘friendly establishments that serve good food at moderate prices’.
They are Bridge Street Prawn Mee, Communal Table by Gen, Duck Blood Curry Mee, Green House Prawn Mee and Loh Mee, Ivy’s Nyonya Cuisine, Ming Qing Charcoal Char Koay Teow, Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Kuih, Neighbourwood, Penang Road Famous Laksa, Rasa Rasa, Sardaaji, Taman Bukit Curry Mee, Tek Sen, Thara, Theebi Pandarams, Tho Yuen, and Wan Dou Tou Assam Laksa.
The remaining 27 eateries were awarded the Michelin Selected.
They are Air Itam Sister Curry Mee, Ali Nasi Lemak Daun Pisang, Bali Hai Seafood Market, Bao Teck Tea House, Bee See Heong, Bibik’s Kitchen, Bite N Eat Dindigul Biriyani, BM Yam Rice, Chao Xuan, Curios-City, Fatty Loh Chicken Rice, Feringgi Grill, Flower Mulan, Gen, Goh Thew Chik Hainan Chicken Rice, Il Bacaro, Jawi House, Kebaya Dining Room, Kota Dine & Coffee, La Vie, Lao San Tong Bah Kut Teh, Misai Mee Jawa (Butterworth), Pitt Street Koay Teow Soup, The Pinn, Tok Tok Mee Bamboo Noodle, WhatSaeb Boat Noodles and Woodlands.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who is the guest of honour during the special ceremony, congratulated all the winners.
“The blood, sweat and tears infused in the passion that you have for what you served are now being seen and proven to the world.
“Thank you for setting Penang as an international gastronomic paradise.
“This achievement has cemented Penang’s reputation as a true food haven.
“From Penang’s Assam Laksa being named ‘The World’s 7th best dish’ by CNN Travel, to Penang being ‘Asia’s Next Great Foodie City’ by Condè Nast Traveler, I am proud to say that Penang is now a star-studded city with recognitions by the ultimate food expert, Michelin Guide,” Chow said in his speech tonight.
Also present were state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, Penang Global Tourism (PGT) chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan and Association of Tourism Attractions Penang (ATAP) chairman Datuk Ch’ng Huck Theng.
Chow added that with such accreditation by Michelin Guide, it is definitely a much-needed boost to the recovery of the tourism industry.
“This partnership with Michelin Guide is crucial to recognise Penang as a world-class destination and it will directly benefit the tourism industry players, be it the food or attraction operators.
“After all, this recognition is most timely, and it is in line with the state government’s LovePENANG campaign where we show support to our food and beverage industry; from our famous street food to lavish international cuisines being a part of our proud multicultural heritage.
“Hence, we must keep them thriving in all efforts that we could. So, to all of you who are here, do start on a Michelin Guide-rated food hunt after tonight,” Chow said.
According to Yeoh, Penang’s culinary scene is as diverse as the state itself.
“A Penang Michelin Guide is the perfect way to celebrate our culinary community.
“It will be a powerful way to share our culinary capabilities with new audiences from around the world.
“There is no doubt that Michelin Guide will serve as a marketing tool for restaurants and street food that are rated and reviewed in the guide.
“For me, most importantly, Michelin Guide promotes our different culinary traditions and cultural diversity in Penang. It also marks a new chapter for Penang’s culinary scene and puts Penang food on the global map, same like other international cities of the world, like New York, Beijing, Tokyo, Bangkok, Singapore, Shanghai, and London.
“The public also has to know that not all countries in the world have Michelin Guide. There are only three countries in South East Asia, namely Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, on the list. And Penang is proud to be part of it,” he said.
Yeoh also expressed his unwavering faith in other local establishments, encouraging them not to give up as he has firm confidence that there would be more winners from Penang in the 2024 Michelin Guide.
During the ceremony, all of the 46 food operators were presented with certificates of appreciation by the Penang government.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat