An opacity around Michelin’s world is part of what keeps us wondering if we might see another star, or maybe two, land on our doorstep in the foreseeable future.
And with the coveted cuisine awards announced just days ago, as some of our top foodie destinations were shortlisted, there was little good news from the star side.
Thus, when we received our first star in the early 1990s, thanks to Paul Rankin’s Roscoff, Michael Deane following in his footsteps, and now counting three starred restaurants (OX, Deanes Eipic and Muddlers Club) have we reached our peak, or is there more to come?
There are some in the food fraternity who believe a second star could still become a reality.
“It is sometimes difficult to understand how an inspector evaluates a restaurant, and although there is an opacity surrounding the process, we will always wonder how, for example, a restaurant like OX, with a Michelin star and whose quality corresponds and often exceeds the two Michelin star restaurants I’ve been to, stays at that level,” said Belfast Telegraph food critic Joris Minne.
Of course, while most of us won’t eat at a simple or multi-starred restaurant every week or month, for that matter, Michelin retains a cache and a magnetic pull that energizes the overall culinary landscape for the better, especially in the eyes. visitors, and when the reconstruction and growth of our tourism sector is at the forefront.
What we do particularly well is this high quality value proposition. It’s something we’ve honed over the years, and it’s been recognized with Michelin’s Bib Gourmands – awarded to ‘good quality, value-for-money restaurants’ below a certain price, which varies from country to country.
We have half a dozen here, including Wine and Brine at Moira and Holywood’s Noble, but given the huge range of very high-end food on offer in the area, should we have more?
“The same can be said for the Bib Gourmands,” says Joris. “These are almost more important because they designate restaurants whose menus are more affordable and therefore able to attract higher volumes of business.
“Northern Ireland’s strength is its portfolio of mid-range restaurants whose quality/price ratio is sometimes incredible for unaccustomed visitors. We deserve more than six Bib Gourmands.
We are a small place. We all know that. In many ways, we outweigh our weight. Belfast, in terms of stars, certainly is, considering our population. Other UK cities lag behind without any Michelin stars, such as Manchester.
Northern Ireland talent outside our shores have had the pleasure and skill to land a host of stars.
This includes three-star Michelin Clare Smyth, from Co Antrim, who has secured the coveted top spot for her own Core restaurant, just four years after opening its doors.
She also held three stars at the helm of the Gordon Ramsey restaurant.
Some restaurateurs pay more attention to accolades, including Michelin, than others.
Whether we get more is one for the judges, but while the stars are certainly welcome, we can always rest assured that our foodscape is only going from strength to strength.