Michelin to launch California-wide guide this year

The Michelin Guide is expanding to recognise the growing number of culinary hotspots in California.

The Michelin Guide California 2019, slated to be released this summer, will include restaurants in greater Los Angeles, Monterey, Orange County, Sacramento, San Diego and Santa Barbara, as well as the previously covered San Francisco Bay Area and Wine Country.

It comes 10 years after the restaurant-ranking brand suspended its Los Angeles guide following the release of just two issues in 2008 and 2009. The new edition will join Michelin’s three other US city guides: New York, Chicago and Washington, DC.

Executives unveiled the new guide at a press conference at Sacramento's Golden 1 Center in partnership with tourism board Visit California, telling the audience the move recognises the region’s unique formula of ‘relaxed luxury’.

“With access to many of the world’s best farms, food producers and vineyards, California cuisine is respected worldwide not only for the quality of its ingredients but also due to the creativity displayed by its chefs,” said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides.

“In addition, our inspectors have been impressed with the talent and innovation within the gastronomic community across the state. Michelin’s partnership combines Visit California’s strength in tourism with Michelin’s 120-plus years of experience in gastronomy.”

Visit California president and CEO Caroline Beteta added: “California and Michelin are a perfect pairing, joining forces to show the world the innovation and breadth of the Golden State’s culinary landscape.

“The diversity and abundance of dining opportunities here, including an unparalleled array of ethnic dining, women chefs and limitless agricultural bounty, sets California apart from any other destination in the world.”