Australia has officially received its first Michelin stars, with 11 restaurants in South Australia being honored. The Magill Estate Restaurant in Adelaide stands out as the only venue to earn two stars, while 10 others have been awarded one star each.
Background
According to the national broadcaster ABC, the South Australian government funded incognito inspectors to visit the state, which explains the absence of recognized establishments in other parts of the country. This announcement marks a significant milestone, occurring more than a century after the Michelin Guide was first published in France and following numerous unsuccessful attempts to introduce it to Australia.
Government Initiative
The Michelin organization has previously approached the national tourism board about bringing the guide to Australia, but these efforts did not materialize. Instead, South Australia opted to pursue its own agreement. While the state government has not disclosed the financial details of this initiative, Tourism Minister Emily Bourke defended the investment in an interview with ABC News, stating:
“"It is enabling us to create a tourism destination and put us on the world map."
This move follows Michelin's expansion into New Zealand, which became the first destination in Oceania to be featured in the guide in July. New Zealand agreed to pay NZ$6.3 million (£2.7 million; $3.5 million) over three years for its inclusion.
