With the exit of Joel Robuchon, is there a restaurant worthy of the coveted three stars?
The excitement leading up to the launch of this year's editon of The Michelin Guide Singapore, tonight (July 25) at the glitzy ceremony held at the Resorts World Sentosa, is understandable.
Many were wondering what changes the results would reveal, given that top establishments have shuttered for good—L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon and Restaurant Andre, both of which had two stars, and Joel Robuchon, the only one that had kept its three stars since the guide debuted in 2016.
Society friend Marilyn Lum says that they are dearly missed, but she is “definitely excited to see who steps up in Singapore’s dynamic culinary landscape to be the next superstar”.
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Raymond Lim, founder of boutique F&B lifestyle agency Restaurant Lifestyle Asia, agrees, but admits that it’s the hawker scene that has changed a lot. Two stalls in 2016 were given one star each—Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle and Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle, which, in partnership with the Hersing Culinary, has expanded his brand with another outlet on Smith Street. Both have maintained their stars for three consecutive years.
Lim adds, “Maybe Michelin will be the answer to save our hawker scene from dying as youngsters see that one can become a hawker, and a famous one at that!” It also begs the question: will we see more hawker stalls joining the ranks this year? That said, there were no new additions this year.
(Related: More Affordable Eats Make It Into The Michelin Guide Singapore’s Bib Gourmand List)
