MICHELIN Guide expands to the Great Lakes, putting Milwaukee on the international foodie map
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Foodies, listen up! Milwaukee is one step closer to having its first MICHELIN-starred restaurant.
On Wednesday, the MICHELIN Guide announced it will be expanding into the Great Lakes region -- essentially putting Milwaukee on the international foodie map.
The guide is largely regarded as the gold standard in dining, and now will include six different cities: Milwaukee, Detroit, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Minneapolis.
“I think that first of all, it validates what our culinary ecosystem already knows. That we’re a city that’s arrived, that our restaurants, our service, our chefs are all amazing," said Visit Milwaukee President and CEO Peggy Williams-Smith. "And now that we have this international spotlight, we can say that they can shine locally but also on an international stage."
Plus, it's an opportunity to drive in new chefs and new people.
"Even just the economic impact of having this kickoff here in Milwaukee has opened Milwaukee up to an audience that maybe has never looked at Milwaukee before," Williams-Smith said. "I believe that our food scene is only going to continue to drive economic impact throughout the region."
Anonymous inspectors judge restaurants on five universal criteria -- the quality of the product, the master of cooking techniques, harmony and balance of flavors, consistency across the menu and overall, and how the chef's personality shines through their cuisine.
Officials said those inspectors are already in Milwaukee, searching for the best.
The full MICHELIN Guide American Great Lakes restaurant selection will be announced in 2027, with details about the inaugural awards ceremony to be shared at a later date.
