Governor Enrique Alfaro this week signed an agreement with the Jalisco branch of the National Restaurant Chamber (Canirac) offering his support to enable local eateries to be included in the Michelin Guide, which unveiled its first selections for Mexico on May 14.
The new guide highlights 157 restaurants but only ones in Mexico City, Oaxaca, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Quintana Roo and Nuevo León.
Sixteen establishments were awarded a one Michelin Star rating and two got two Michelin Stars. Surprisingly to some foodies, Tacos El Califa de León in the San Rafael neighborhood of Mexico City became the first taco stand to get a Michelin star. However, its appeal is well-known to its dedicated local clientele, who have been appreciating this humble stand’s quality tortillas and exceptional meat since the 1960s.
Six eateries received the Michelin Green Star for their endeavors to promote more sustainable gastronomy, while “42 Bib Gourmands” were spotlighted in this initial Mexican selection, rewarding their “commitment to offering foodies and travelers dining experiences with outstanding value for money.”
Six professionals received a Michelin Special Award in recognition of their “skill and passion that enables them to deliver memorable gastronomic experiences.” They included Enrique Olvera, chef and owner of Pujol in Mexico City, currently ranked 13th in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
At a ceremony this week to swear in the new Canirac Jalisco board, presided over by Alfaro at the Jalisco Government Palace, incoming president Gregorio Godoy stressed the importance and strength of the restaurant sector in Jalisco. ”We have 46,500 establishments, generating more than 370,000 direct jobs, and contributing to eight percent of the state’s GDP,” he said.
Godoy promised to ensure that the Michelin Guide, which he described as “the benchmark of world gastronomy,” takes this state’s fine and unique cuisine into account.