8 hours ago
Overheard at the 2025 Michelin Guide California Award Ceremony
The San Francisco Bay Area, and all of Northern California, did numbers at the state's Michelin Guide ceremony on Wednesday, June 25. There were 2025 numerous stars awarded, with Sonoma restaurant Enclos and San Francisco restaurant Kiln fetching two Michelin stars each. Which chefs and teams take home new accolades and honors can be an indication for the state of the industry and what to add to a diner's hit list for (at least) the following year. All the scuttlebutt before and after the show, everything overheard, can be just as telling.
What follows are photos, commentary, snark, and hard-hitting news from the night itself.
'It's a team effort. A lot of people feel they lost their shine in comparison to Los Angeles. The new mayor can help get restaurants back on track with better regulation.' — chef Junsoo Bae, Ssal , retained its star
'Of course I want to see Rich (Lee of Saison)'s restaurant [get a second star], but we're doing good work and Angler's a strong restaurant no matter what. [Retaining a star] is like you know you're safe for another year. It's never guaranteed.' — chef de cuisine Joe Hou, Angler , retained its star
'The nerves aren't with us tonight.' — chef David Fisher, 7 Adams , retained its star
'We're not the new restaurant anymore.' — chef Serena Chow Fisher, 7 Adams , retained its star
'I feel nervous, excited.' — chef Brian Limoges, Enclos, earned two stars
'All the people who are here have restaurants. That are open.' — anonymous Michelin star-holding general manager speaking to another guest
'It's all very odd.' — the guest
'Yes, it's all very odd.' — same GM
'We all packed in an Uber [to come to the ceremony]. Everyone's a little tense at the beginning 'til people unwind and get a little loose.' — chef Rich Lee, Saison, retained its star
'It's so good to be amongst all these people. Whatever happens, I'm just grateful to be here.' — general manager Ian Cobb, Enclos
'I'm just happy to be here. I hope everyone gets what they want.' — chef Rogelio Garcia, Auro , retained its star
'We're happy to be here. *Fist bump*.' — chef Thomas Keller, The French Laundry , retained its three stars
'This isn't the right place to congregate!' — partner to a chef de cuisine at a San Francisco Michelin star-holding restaurant drinking in front of the bar
'There doesn't seem to be one.' — someone else at the bar
'You're not wrong.' — same partner
'It hasn't hit yet.' — chef de cuisine Adam Gale, Enclos
'Yeah it's a shame what happened with Osito since he had such a vision.' — chef Harrison Cheney, Sons and Daughters , on moving into a new restaurant space
'You [Eater SF] came to one of the good ceremonies,' — chef David Yoshimura, Nisei , retained its star
'Your [Eater SF's] suit has the same stitch as mine!' — chef David Barzelay, Lazy Bear , retained its two stars
'It's a good night,' — chef John Wesley, Kiln, earned a second star
'You have so many goddamn restaurants,' — chef at a Michelin star-holding restaurant to another chef
'I know,' — that other chef at another Michelin star-holding restaurant See More: San Francisco Restaurant News
