For those not familiar with the Michelin Guide, it is a series of books that come out each year enlisting the best of the best as far as fine dining and culinary experience goes. Each year, restaurants from all around the world are awarded one, two or three stars depending on which category they fit into.

 

Michelin defines it’s rating categories as follows:

 

• One star: A good place to stop on your journey, indicating a very good restaurant in its category, offering cuisine prepared to a consistently high standard.
• Two stars: A restaurant worth a detour, indicating excellent cuisine and skillfully and carefully crafted dishes of outstanding quality
• Three stars: A restaurant worth a special journey, indicating exceptional cuisine where diners eat extremely well, often superbly. Distinctive dishes are precisely executed, using superlative ingredients.

 

The stars are highly coveted by restaurant owners and chefs alike as they can determine who’s who in the culinary world. Every new Michelin Guide ignites a media frenzy towards any new recipients, people fight for reservations, special events are sold out immediately, people stand in lines that go around the block for hours and chefs become international stars overnight.

 

We were pleasantly surprised to see many Latinamerican chefs receiving much deserved recognition for their hard work, innovation, consistency and above and beyond quality in providing an exceptional experience in fine dining. These are the Latinamerican chefs featured in this year’s Michelin Guide.

 

Mauro Colagreco from La Plata, Argentina.

Mirazur (Menton, France)

3 Michelin Stars

The first ever latinamerican chef to be awarded 3 Michelin Stars in France. Chef Mauro has been part of the guide since 2007 and his restaurant Mirazur, placed 3rd on The 50 Best Restaurants in the World list last year. Chef Mauro has the golden touch that only years of experience and hard work can provide.

 

Cosme Aguilar from Chiapas, Mexico.

Casa Enrique (New York, U.S.A.)

1 Michelin Star

One of the most inspiring stories of coming from nothing, working hard and getting it all. With humble beginnings, Chef Cosme is a true example of greatness, perseverance, wanting to better yourself and putting in the work to do so. Casa Enrique is one of the very few Mexican restaurants to be included in the Michelin Guide (and the only one in New York).

 

Indra Carrillo from Cancun, Mexico.

La Condesa (Paris, France)

1 Michelin Star

At 31 years old, this chef has one of the most impressive careers for someone so young, having been a key part of the team at restaurants such as Noma, Le Ritz, Pujol and Ginza Kojyu and with many prestigious awards under his belt, Chef Indra has proven to be the one to keep and eye on.

 

Raphaël Rego from Rio de Janeiro Brazil.

Oka (Paris, France)

1 Michelin Star

The first Brazilian ever to earn a Michelin Star in Paris, Raphaël is the ambassador to the Amazon Rainforest and a passionate advocate of it’s culinary treasures. Chef Raphaël always finds new and exciting ways to incorporate Brazilian cuisine, Amazonia ingredients and French technique at his restaurant Oka.  

 

Francisco Méndez from Mexico City, Mexico.

Hoja Santa (Barcelona, Spain)

1 Michelin Star

One the most well rounded Chefs on this list. With internships at some of the most unique restaurants, Chef Paco acquired the drive and skills to succeed in this business while making sure he gives back to the community by teaching disabled children the art of cooking. Passion for learning and continual culinary education is one of the most important things to him.

 

Roberto Ruíz from Mexico City, Mexico.

Punto MX (Madrid, Spain)

2 Michelin Stars

A culinary adviser and savvy entrepreneur, Chef Roberto knows the ins and outs of Mexican cuisine as a business enterprise. This groundbreaking and forward thinking Chef is passionate about intersecting cooking, technology and innovation, embracing one of a kind ingredients and daring to disrupt the culinary world. Chef Roberto definitely holds the future of Mexican fine dining.

 

These Chefs have set the bar high for all of us in the restaurant business, they are the prime example of having a clear goal and working towards it. Investing in your business, your education and yourself. We can all aspire to be as truly exceptional as all of them. The American Dream can be ours, it is achievable, no matter where you come from of what your background is, as long as you keep moving forward.