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We all know the saying ‘you eat first with your eyes’, but what about eating with your ethics? When the Michelin Guide introduced its green star in 2020, the idea was to reward restaurants which go above and beyond when it comes to everything eco.
Since then, as well as rating what’s on their plate, Michelin’s mysterious inspectors have reviewed each restaurant against criteria like the source of ingredients, use of seasonal produce, environmental footprint and food waste. Additional green medals are handed out alongside new editions of the guide every year.
But as of this week the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland’s eco prizes are no more.
‘The green star, which was limited to the culinary arts, will be discontinued,’ the guide announced on May 18, saying they’ll be ‘gradually phased out’ before 2027. That means that the 37 green-starred restaurants across UK and Ireland are set to lose their accolades at the end of this year.
The last green stars were dished out as recently as February, with seven British restos handed a prize for their sustainable approach to fine dining. Counted among those names were Time Out Edinburgh favourite Timberyard and the Lake District’s Forest Side Hotel.
What will replace Michelin’s green star?
The announcement comes after months of whispers that Michelin was planning to call time on its green star. In October, a food writer called Nicholas Gill spotted that the guide had removed green star listings from its website and cut articles about the prize.
In its place, Michelin has announced ‘Mindful Voices’ which has been designed to ‘highlight and share the stories and pioneering practices of chefs, hoteliers and wine producers’, the guide said. Unlike its predecessor, though, it won’t be an official accolade or come with its own logo.
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