Latvia’s Max Cekot Kitchen has become the first restaurant in the country to be awarded a Michelin star – a hallmark of culinary excellence. Lithuania, meanwhile, expects to receive the first Michelin star next year.
The first-ever Michelin Guide Latvia lists a total of 26 restaurants, including 19 in Riga and 7 outside the capital. Riga’s Max Cekot Kitchen was awarded one Michelin star, while another restaurant, Pavaru Maja, received a Michelin Green Star awarded to the best sustainable restaurants.
Estonia was the first Baltic country to be visited by Michelin inspectors. In 2022, two Tallinn restaurants – NOA Chef’s Hall and 180 by Matthias Diether – were each awarded a Michelin star. In 2023, the latter received its second Michelin star.
Lithuania has also signed an agreement with Michelin, and its inspectors have been visiting Lithuania’s restaurants over the past few months.
“Lithuania is seeking to be included in the Michelin Guide. We hope to be able to share the good news next year,” said Olga Goncarova, head of tourism promotion agency Travel Lithuania.
Lithuania has already tried to invite Michelin inspectors to visit the country before the coronavirus pandemic. At that time, Lithuanian tourism agencies negotiated with Latvia and Estonia for Michelin inspectors to visit all three Baltic States, claiming that it would have been cheaper. However, no agreement was reached.
According to the Michelin Guide, one Michelin star is awarded to restaurants “using top quality ingredients, where dishes with distinct flavours are prepared to a consistently high standard”.
Two Michelin stars are awarded “when the personality and talent of the chef are evident in their expertly crafted dishes; their food is refined and inspired”.
Finally, three Michelin stars – the highest award – are given “for the superlative cooking of chefs at the peak of their profession; their cooking is elevated to an art form and some of their dishes are destined to become classics”. (LRT/Business World Magazine)