Miami's Itamae AO gets Michelin Star as guide's Florida offerings expand
Why it matters: Recognition by Michelin is seen as an international certification of excellence, putting restaurants and their cities on the worldwide culinary map.
What they're saying: Chang said he was "very thankful" for the honor of being one of the night's four newly starred restaurants — and delivered a message to match the political moment.
Asked what the award meant, he said, "It just means that people like my father, undocumented immigrants who came to this country over 30, 35 years ago, still have a future in this country."
Inside the room: The stars were doled out during a ceremony yesterday evening at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando.
Hundreds of people in cocktail attire attended, packing a ballroom that offered hors d'oeuvre worthy of an event celebrating the state's best chefs.
Zoom in: Stars weren't the only honors on offer. Jacqueline Pirolo of Miami's Macchialina was selected for Michelin's sommelier award.
The young chef award went to Juan Camilo Liscano of Palma.
And the green star award, which recognizes sustainability, went to Entrenos Miami's Even Burgess and Osmel Gonzalez and Stubborn Seed's Jeremy Ford.
Catch up quick: The guide expanded to Florida in 2022, becoming the fifth U.S. destination after New York, D.C., Chicago and California.
At the time, only restaurants in Tampa, Orlando and Miami were eligible — because for your city to make Michelin, you have to pay up.
Joining the guide this year are Pinellas County, Fort Lauderdale and the Palm Beaches.
How it works: Florida's tourism board and tourism agencies representing those cities spent nearly $1.5 million to bring Michelin to the Sunshine State.
That includes about $116,000 per year for three years from Visit Tampa Bay, per the Tampa Bay Times.
In February, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater signed a two-year contract to pay Michelin $90,000 a year for inclusion, Brian Lowack, the CEO of Pinellas' tourism agency, told Axios.
Discover the Palm Beaches and Visit Lauderdale told Axios they are each paying $90,000 per year.
Zoom out: Chef's Counter at MAASS in Fort Lauderdale got a star in the city's debut year, as did Konro for West Palm Beach.
Ômo by Jônt added to Orlando's star haul.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Axios
3 hours ago
- Axios
Minneapolis mayor makes high-stakes pitch for budget trims, tax hike
Mayor Jacob Frey is asking Minneapolis to tighten its belt. Why it matters: The mayor proposed Wednesday to increase the city's property tax levy by 7.8% next year — Minneapolis' largest levy hike since 2010, if enacted — though the increase could've been higher without $23 million in cuts the mayor has suggested. He contends the budget proposal shields taxpayers from a flood of rising costs without employee layoffs or deep cuts to core services like road repairs or police. What they're saying:"This was not an easy budget year. But it's also not a crisis budget. This is a disciplined budget," Frey is expected to say in his budget address Wednesday morning, according to draft text shared with Axios. Zoom in: If Minneapolis made no major budget changes, city officials would've needed a much larger levy increase next year — as much as 13% — to keep up with rising costs, mostly for salaries, benefits and construction expenses. By eliminating two dozen vacant positions and making other money-saving accounting moves, city officials were able to reduce next year's levy increase. Minneapolis would also save $3.6 million by eliminating "double-time" overtime pay for police officers. (The department has spent record amounts on OT amid a staffing shortage, per the Star Tribune.) The big picture: The mayor now has to sell the $2 billion budget proposal to the City Council — which is controlled by Frey critics — during an election year, as even some of the mayor's council allies are pleading for limits to the levy increase. Friction points: The mayor's budget saves money by ending or reorganizing programs that the council funded, but were deemed "untested or unsustainable." For example, instead of four Open Streets festivals, the mayor proposes to fund only three — and Frey has already faced criticism for stifling the event. The city would also continue a sidewalk-shoveling partnership with neighborhood groups, but abandon other efforts to explore city-run sidewalk clearing programs that have intrigued council members. What we're watching: How the council — which makes most final budget decisions — responds. Last year, Frey's council critics banded together to reshape the budget, and ultimately overrode the mayor's veto of their rewritten spending plan. What's next: The city's Board of Estimate and Taxation will set the maximum levy amounts later this fall, though the council can always approve smaller tax increases.
Axios
6 hours ago
- Axios
Mayes hints at possible legal action if Corporation Commission repeals renewable energy mandate
Attorney General Kris Mayes signaled she might take the Corporation Commission to court if it dismantles renewable energy standards she helped create nearly 20 years ago. Why it matters: The future of Arizona's renewable energy mandate is on the line. The big picture: The commission last year instructed staff to draft rules that would repeal its renewable energy standards, saying they're unnecessary and appear to drive up costs. The Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff (REST) Rules require affected utilities to get 15% of the electricity they provide from renewable sources. Staff in late July issued a formal proposal to repeal the standards. Driving the news: Mayes on Monday sent a letter to the commission warning that repealing REST "isn't just nonsensical; it's unlawful." REST isn't perfect, the AG concedes, and she would "wholeheartedly support" efforts to modernize the rules, but she opposes outright repeal. A spokesperson for Mayes declined to comment on whether she'll sue the commission if it votes to repeal the standards. Flashback: Mayes was a Republican member of the commission — she's now a Democrat — when it passed the REST rules in 2006. She was part of the 4-1 majority that voted for the standards. Zoom in: A third-party economic analysis performed for the commission found that REST repeal "could marginally reduce monthly residential electric bills" by $1-$2 and result in minor administrative cost savings for utilities. But renewable energy-related costs for some utility customers would continue due to long-term financial obligations. And repeal would have indirect costs including "reduced transparency, regulatory certainty and potentially slower renewable energy adoption," the analysis said. Between the lines: Mayes argued in her letter that REST helps keep customer rates lower for millions of Arizonans and creates jobs in the renewable energy sector. She said rate-making decisions must legally be based on "high-quality evidence, not speculation and conjecture." "In addition to being bad policy, repealing the REST Rules as proposed here is an unlawful abdication of the Commission's duty to set just and reasonable rates," she wrote. The other side: Commission chair Kevin Thompson told Axios he's not surprised Mayes is "rattling her saber, considering she played a pivotal part in implementing this gravy train that has cost ratepayers billions of dollars." He said his focus is on protecting ratepayers and not pushing "costly ideological mandates." Commission vice chair Nick Myers said he's unconcerned about a lawsuit if the commission repeals REST. "We'll let her do what she thinks she needs to do, and if she has legal grounds, bring them up," he said. Reality check: Renewable energy accounts for about 19% of the energy that Arizona Public Service, the state's largest utility, provides its electric retail customers, the company tells Axios. What's next: The commission will vote at a Thursday meeting on whether to instruct staff to begin the repeal process.
Axios
9 hours ago
- Axios
Boeing mulls Patriot seeker upgrades amid soaring demand
Boeing is exploring new technologies and production efficiencies for the Patriot missile seekers it builds, as global demand for the pricey interceptors skyrockets. Why it matters: Changes in the formula could reduce costs or boost output. But finding the right mix — and not undercutting performance — is tricky. Driving the news: In an interview at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium in Alabama, Boeing executive Jim Bryan told Axios ongoing research-and-development efforts include the introduction of "more solid-state components that are, maybe, lower maintenance," plus "smaller packaging." "The mix of technology in what we have today works very well," he said. "There is some apprehension to mess with a really good recipe." State of play: Boeing, a subcontractor to Lockheed Martin, has produced more than 5,000 Patriot seekers since 2000. It hit an all-time high last year, completing more than 500 deliveries. "The market has been 'how much and how fast,'" Bryan said. "For the Army, we've asked them to give us a target. They say they need infinite now." Zoom out: Engagements in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, namely the defense of Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, have elevated the Patriot profile. Aviation Week on Aug. 6 reported Lockheed was eyeing a "dramatic rise" in interceptor production. "People want it because it works," Bryan told me. "That weapon is speaking for itself; that weapon is, essentially, selling itself."
