William Bradley, executive chef at San Diego's Addison restaurant, has served on the Council for Bocuse d’Or USA since 2013 and is one of the most acclaimed chefs in America. His culinary accolades include the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating (for 11 consecutive years), four James Beard Award nominations, and the prestigious Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef Award.
Despite these and many other plaudits, Bradley has never earned a single Michelin star. It's hard to fault him, however, seeing as Michelin reviewers have never reviewed Addison or any other restaurant in San Diego County.
That will all change this summer, as Michelin today announced the Michelin Guide California 2019, which promises a fresh perspective on the Golden State's culinary offerings. Currently Michelin only covers California restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area, including establishments in Napa and Sonoma Counties. Michelin Guide California 2019 will cover those regions and also feature reviews of restaurants located in greater Los Angeles, Monterey, Orange County, Sacramento, San Diego, and Santa Barbara.
With this announcement, chefs like Niki Nakayama from n/naka, Carlos Salgado from Taco María, and Brad Cecchi from Canon will be judged on the same criteria as Michelin favourites like Thomas Keller, Dominique Crenn, and David Kinch. It's a smart move, one that acknowledges that restaurants are thriving throughout the state.
“With access to many of the world’s best farms, food producers and vineyards, California cuisine is respected worldwide not only for the quality of its ingredients but also due to the creativity displayed by its chefs," according to Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides. "In addition, our inspectors have been impressed with the talent and innovation within the gastronomic community across the state. Michelin’s partnership combines Visit California’s strength in tourism with Michelin’s 120-plus years of experience in gastronomy.”
Visit California President and CEO Caroline Beteta echoed these sentiments: “California and Michelin are a perfect pairing, joining forces to show the world the innovation and breadth of the Golden State’s culinary landscape. The diversity and abundance of dining opportunities here, including an unparalleled array of ethnic dining, women chefs, and limitless agricultural bounty, sets California apart from any other destination in the world.”
Michelin, Visit California, and Visit Sacramento hosted the announcement at the Golden 1 Center, the sparkling new arena located in the "Farm-to-Fork Capital of America."
“This event celebrates Sacramento’s rich agricultural history, bright culinary scene, and focus on all things fresh and local,” said Mike Testa, president and CEO of Visit Sacramento. “This exciting new guide affirms Sacramento’s status among the world’s great culinary destinations, a milestone worth celebrating among our community of cuisine.”
Michelin will reveal the 2019 star selections in the inaugural California Guide during a special event scheduled in the summer, with the Bib Gourmand selections announced a few days prior.