Michelin's senior executives mark the launch of its 2015 Michelin Guide Hong Kong and Macao. [Photo/CHINA DAILY]

Tire and travel authority selects best restaurants

Hong Kong has become a true epicurean center globally with a high diversity of culinary excellence, according to the latest Michelin Guide.

The French tire, map and guidebook company recently unveiled its 2015 Michelin Guide Hong Kong and Macao offering the latest selection of recommended restaurants in the two regions.

"The new edition confirms that Hong Kong is one of the world's leading gourmet dining centers," said Michael Ellis, international director of Michelin Guides.

"The city's creativity, curiosity and cultural openness constantly enrich one of the most dynamic gourmet dining scenes anywhere," said Ellis.

"A city of exchanges, encounters, cross-cultural experiences and inspiration, Hong Kong has become an undisputed leader in the international culinary landscape."

The 2015 Red Guide includes seven three-star restaurants in Hong Kong out of the total 100 globally. It also features 16 two-star ratings, four in Hong Kong and two in Macao. The new edition also lists 52 one-star restaurants, 45 of them in Hong Kong and seven in Macao.

The guide also includes 78 Bib Gourmand restaurants－those that offer excellent value for money with a full menu for less than $HK300 ($38.7)－of which 65 are in Hong Kong and 13 in Macao.

"The selection in the 2015 guide shows to what extent Hong Kong is increasingly attractive to young foreign chefs, more and more of whom are moving to the city or opening their own restaurants after training in other high-rated restaurants in Hong Kong and other regions," said Ellis.

One example is Olivier Elzer, whose restaurant Seasons was awarded one star a few months after its opening. The chef reinterprets classic French recipes, adding a personal touches to create highly original dishes.

And just a few months after his restaurant in Paris was awarded a second star, the young chef Akrame Benallal has been given a first star for his restaurant Akrame in Hong Kong. Managed by a local team, the restaurant carefully prepares a contemporary style of French cooking based largely on seafood and European products.

"We also found that the local people are cuisine enthusiasts, with high acceptation for all kinds of gourmet, so that provides the opportunities for different flavors," said Ellis.

With more than 50 types of cuisine and 21 different Chinese styles represented, the new edition reflects the broad gourmet dining scene in Hong Kong and Macao.

"In addition to its great diversity, the guide also features some of the world's most affordable gourmet food offerings. In fact, Hong Kong is still the city where one can have lunch or dinner in a starred restaurant for less than 10 euros ($12.48)," said Ellis.

He gave two examples－Yat Lok and Kam's Roast Goose－both serving traditional Cantonese cooking based on roast meats.

Leading tire maker Michelin began producing travel publications when brothers Andre and Edouard Michelin saw the close link between cars and travel. They launched the first Michelin Red Guide in 1900, listing the finest restaurants and most convenient hotels along travel routes, providing travelers with information on where to eat, stay and visit.

China was the first Asian country for Michelin maps, which were introduced in 2011 after travel and gourmet guides were offered to Chinese travelers in 2006.