On Tuesday, October 22nd, renowned chefs, culinary experts, notable food bloggers (like the Food Fashionista), and elite food and wine aficionados gathered at the Bently Reserve in San Francisco, California to celebrate the debut of the 2014 Michelin Guide.

2014 Michelin Guide

The Michelin Guide was first published in 1900 by the Michelin founders, and has since become regarded as one of the leading publications to follow relative to restaurant star-ratings. The 2014 Michelin Guide for the San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country offers an updated selection of the area’s restaurants, providing travelers and locals with a comprehensive and detailed guide to the best dining experiences offered in the Northern California region. For the convenience of the reader, the Michelin Guide also features different categories including food type, price range, location, service style, and setting.

Michelin Star Gala

Dubbed “An Evening To Savor”, The Michelin Star Gala (sponsored by Chase) brought together 300 of the world’s most devoted foodies, in combination with exalted chefs and members of the media. The exclusive event featured a cocktail reception, wine tasting, and restaurant tastings from five Michelin-starred chefs from the Bay Area and Napa Valley, including: Mourad Lahlou of Aziza, Ken Frank of La Toque, Matt McNamara and Teague Moriarty of Sons & Daughters, Mark Sullivan of Spruce, and Hiro Sone and Lissa Doumani of Terra and Ame.

Michael Ellis, International Director for the Michelin Guides, greeted the audience with a warm welcome, followed by an introduction of the evening’s honored chefs. He went on to tell a heart-warming personal story about his own experience serving in the food industry years prior, under the direction of one of the esteemed chefs of the evening.

The cuisine stations placed throughout the elaborately-decorated venue offered guests the opportunity to meet the Michelin-rated chefs, while dining on delicacies like Smoked Duck with Autumn Foragers Salad, Golden Potato Gnocchi with Farm Egg Yolk and Caviar, and Japanese Savory Custard with Maine Lobster, to name a few. Aside from the delectable food offerings, guests were treated to premium cocktails and wine and an indulgent dessert buffet.

Set to the musical accompaniment of a live band, guests mixed and mingled with each other under the glowing ambient lighting. And the lucky few were even able to take photos with the Michelin Man himself. For the guests who were able to attend the Michelin Star Gala, it was certainly a memorable and delectable night to be had.