Tampa Bay restaurants do not receive any new Michelin stars this year.

ORLANDO — As the lead-up to the Michelin Guide’s highly anticipated star reveal event approached, many in the culinary community were eager to see how local establishments would fare. Among those hopefuls was David Benstock, owner of Il Ritorno in downtown St. Petersburg. This marked the first time that Michelin inspectors were assessing restaurants in Pinellas County, raising expectations for the area’s dining scene.

Benstock, alongside other chefs and restaurateurs from across Florida, gathered at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando on Thursday evening for the event. It was a glamorous occasion, filled with anticipation and excitement. However, the outcome proved unexpected. To the disappointment of many, no restaurants from Pinellas County were awarded a star or recognized with a Bib Gourmand distinction—an accolade that acknowledges establishments offering good food at moderate prices.

Instead, Michelin introduced a list of “recommended” restaurants to their Florida guide, which included Il Ritorno and a few other Pinellas establishments, such as Fortu, Sushi Sho Rexley, and The Tides Seafood Market & Provisions in Safety Harbor. This shift in recognition underscores the evolving nature of the restaurant scene in Pinellas, but it fell short of the coveted star status that many had aspired to achieve.

While Pinellas restaurants were left without stars, Tampa’s established starred eateries maintained their accolades: Rocca, Kosen, Ebbe, Koya, and Lilac each retained their one-star ratings. The Bib Gourmand distinction also continued for several Tampa establishments, including Rooster & The Till and Gorkhali Kitchen.

The event, emceed by local television personality Java Ingram, featured a variety of culinary delights, with numerous tasting stations showcasing Florida’s vibrant seafood offerings and artisanal dishes. Among the highlights was Tyler Wolff of Ponte, who received the guide’s Exceptional Cocktails award, adding a celebratory note to the evening.

Despite the absence of stars for newcomer restaurants in Pinellas County, the overall experience was recognized as a meaningful step forward. Benstock and others expressed optimism about the future, indicating a strong resolve to continue improving and aiming for higher recognition in the upcoming years.

Michelin, which ventured into Florida in 2022, operates on a model partly funded by partnerships with tourism agencies, reflecting a significant financial investment in the region. In fact, the recent expansion into Pinellas and other counties came with a commitment of approximately 0,000 from Visit St. Pete-Clearwater and similar funding from Palm Beach and Broward counties.

As the Michelin Guide continues to evolve, it remains a critical measure of excellence in the culinary world. For Florida, the addition of 172 recognized restaurants showcases the state’s thriving dining scene, although the journey toward Michelin star status requires persistence and talent. The challenge continues as chefs and restaurateurs prepare to elevate their offerings in hopes of achieving recognition in the future.