The debut of the Michelin Guide in the Philippines is “just the beginning,” according to Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide, who expressed optimism about exploring more regions in the future.
“This is just the beginning. So I have nothing else to confirm, but I hope there will be additional culinary journeys in the future,” Poullennec told Interaksyon when asked about expanding the Guide’s reach beyond Manila environs and Cebu.
He noted that even within this year’s selection, the diversity of Filipino cuisine is already apparent.
“Even in the selection today for Manila and Cebu, you already have both the metropolitan sophistication flavors with some international touch and twist, international influences,” he said.
“So there are also the regional influences of the country that you can feel even here in Manila. There was a surprise.”
The Michelin Guide executive also described the inaugural list as a “bright beginning,” expressing delight that eight restaurants received One Michelin Star, one earned Two Michelin Stars, 25 got Bib Gourmand recognition and 74 establishments joined the list.
Leading the list is Helm, led by Chef Josh Boutwood, which made an impressive debut with Two Michelin Stars, the highest distinction awarded this year.
While no restaurant received three stars, eight other establishments across Manila and its environs earned One Michelin Star for consistently excellent cuisine.
READ: FULL LIST: Michelin-starred Restaurants in the Philippines
In total, 108 restaurants and individuals were celebrated across all categories—including Michelin Stars, Bib Gourmand, Green Star and special awards.
READ: FULL LIST: Michelin-selected restaurants in Philippines | FULL LIST: Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand and Special Award recipients in the Philippines
When asked about the possible expansion of categories, Poullennec shared insights into the Michelin inspectors’ expertise and the potential for new award categories in the Philippines.
“Back to the different categories, it allows me to share a bit about their profile because the inspectors, of course, they have a professional background, not only training, but they have been working in restaurants,” Poullennec said.
“It can be a chef, it can be a cook, it can be a pastry chef, it can be [a] sommelier. So we have all the different expertise and some of the inspectors have been working front of house as restaurant managers or metro hotel, for example. So we have all the different expertise, that also enables us to look beyond the quality of the food, which is the core, and what we can recognize by the people or the stars is the quality of the experience,” he explained.
“So the cocktail, of course, the service, and in some of the countries, so maybe we will see here, we are recognizing sommeliers, we are recognizing all the categories of métiers because… the mission of the guide is to work for the end user, for the food and travel lovers,” the director said.
He added that beyond recognizing outstanding restaurants, Michelin’s mission is also to spotlight and inspire talent within the culinary industry.
Poullennec said the Michelin Guide ultimately works for food and travel lovers, but they also have a responsibility to highlight talent.
“So, that’s the purpose of the special award and let’s see, comparing to other destinations, [in] some destinations we have different awards that we are putting the spotlight on,” he concluded.
Ultimately, Poullennec stressed that nothing is defined yet, considering the 2026 Michelin Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu is “just the beginning of the journey.”
“And little doubt that with the vibrancy of the market, with the motivation of the chef, they will push to new heights in the future. That many more will also join the league, that it will inspire new projects to open and that we will have room for expansion, whether across categories or maybe at some point to cover new territories,” he said.
“But as today, nothing is defined, it was just the ignition party and let’s see what the future holds in store,” Poullennec concluded.
The historic debut of the Michelin Guide in the Philippines was officially unveiled on October 30.
