It's official: Canada's first Michelin restaurant guide is launching in Toronto
It’s official, Canada is getting its first Michelin guide, and it will begin its exciting entry in Toronto.
In an announcement on Tuesday morning, Mayor John Tory, alongside Federal Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault and Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides, shared the details surrounding Canada’s first Michelin Guide, which is launching in fall 2022.
āFor the first time in its history, the Michelin Guide lands in Canada, and our inspectors are excited to experience the impressive culinary landscape of Toronto,ā said Poullennec.
āThis first selection for Canada’s largest city, and our first in the country, will represent the local flavours, international inspiration, and distinct creativity that makes Torontoās dining scene world-class.ā
The process has already begun as Michelin inspectors have started visiting restaurants in Toronto and will continue to do so in the next few months.
It’s not known how many restaurants they have already dined in as inspectors are anonymous. They make their reservations and pay for their meals so they’re treated the same as any other regular diner.
Restaurants are given stars based on five universal criteria, quality products, the mastery of flavours, the mastery of cooking techniques, the personality of the chef in the cuisine and the consistency between each visit as each restaurant is inspected a few times a year.
For those unfamiliar with Michelin and its guides, their judgement is considered of high importance when it comes to fine dining.
They rank restaurants with stars depending on the dining experience, with one star being very good and three stars as the ultimate accomplishment.
āTorontoās culinary scene is as diverse as the city itself, and the Michelin Guide Toronto is the perfect way to celebrate our culinary community,ā said Scott Beck, President and CEO of Destination Toronto.
āIt will be a powerful way to share our culinary capabilities with new audiences from around the world. Weāre so proud to partner with Michelin and our destination partners Destination Ontario and Destination Canada, to bring the Michelin Guide to Canada for the first time.ā