Twinkle,Twinkle Littl Star

The time of year when our homes and streets are decorated with stars is fast approaching, but there was another ‘starry’ event at the end of November when Michelin gave out its stars to the gourmet temples of the world.

Unfortunately, once again, Spain was not in the front of the queue for the awards, despite the fact that many of the world’s most renowned chefs are Spanish. On the other hand, Japan, where in only two years since its first appearance, the Guide has ‘showered‘ over 200 stars at its’ restaurants. Envious rumours say that the French editors of The Guide know very little about globalization, that they overprotect their home country and that the testers still seem to prefer the softness of animal fat (butter and cream) over the more modern and healthy taste of freshly pressed pure olive oil. Whether or not this will ever change is written in the stars…
In Catalonia, little has changed since last year, at least statistically speaking. Five restaurants have been awarded one star and four lost them, either because they had closed or had changed their direction. Only one of the candidates for a second star won it – Àbac** (Barcelona). The six three-star restaurants in Spain, three of them in the Basque country and the other three in Catalonia, have kept the same star rating. This lack of change is one of the main criticisms of Spanish food connoisseurs, as the three Roca brothers of El Celler de Can Roca** (Taialà / Girona) have once again missed out on a third star which they have deserved for years. On the other hand, for the first time in the Guide’s history, a Madrid Restaurant owned by Catalan chef and media darling, Sergi Arola Gastro** has been awarded two stars from scratch. Arola is one of Ferran Adrià’s (El Bulli*** - Cala Montjoi / Roses) ‘pupils’ who are creating culinary revolutions worldwide. In Roses, he not only discovered his passion for cooking, but also his biggest love Sara, which brings him back often to visit her family and also inspired him to open a remarkably ‘different’ restaurant in his adopted home town: Vi Cool (Avda. Jaume I, 4).
We have prepared a list for our readers showing all ‘starred‘ restaurants in Catalonia. However, we would like to remind you that according to many experts, Michelin unfortunately does not always recognise every kitchen that actually deserves it and that the regions of the Alt and Baix Empordà are home to many extraordinary culinary highlights to satisfy the most discerning palates without the need to travel long distances.
Merry Christmas!