GEORGE TOWN: The Michelin Guide is ready to enter Penang, the state government said today.
Penang is set to become the very first state outside the capital of Malaysia to obtain Michelin stars.
Announcing the good news, state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the state government would sign an agreement with the Michelin Guide before the end of the year.
He said it has been his vision since 2018 to bring the Michelin Guide to Penang.
"This is so that the promising eateries in Penang can be awarded with the world-renowned Michelin Star and the Bib Gourmand.
"The Michelin Star is a badge of honour in the gastronomy industry. Today, we finally have a chance to bring Penang's cuisine to the world's most prestigious gastronomy guide.
"Penang, a well-known food paradise in Malaysia that has been recognised internationally, is not short of good food to earn the prestigious recognition," he said in Komtar here today.
Penang asam laksa was ranked seventh in CNN's World's 50 Best Foods 2020.
Penang's char kway teow, cendol and nasi kandar are some of the delicacies that have brought visitors to the state.
Yeoh said the Michelin Guide is one of the highest accolades in the gastronomy industry as it has become a guide for many tourists to find local cuisine.
"The Michelin Guide will reinforce Penang's status as a food utopia, consequently enhancing the quality and consistency of the local culinary scene due to the evaluation of their professional culinary inspectors."
The Michelin Guide has four distinctions — Michelin Stars, Bib Gourmand, Michelin Select and Green Star.
