Mississippi is set to become the first state in the US to be featured in a regional edition of the MICHELIN Guide American South, which will launch later this year. The guide will include restaurants from five other states – Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina – as well as an expanded Atlanta guide.
The inclusion of Mississippi is seen as a strategic marketing investment, aiming to elevate the state’s culinary profile and expand tourism opportunities. “Mississippi is a richly diverse state with a dynamic culinary landscape,” said Katie Coats, Visit Mississippi Director of Marketing and Communications. “We’re excited about the opportunity for restaurants to be inspected and potentially included in this new guide.”
The MICHELIN Guide uses five universal criteria to evaluate restaurants, including quality products, harmony of flavors, mastery of cooking techniques, chef’s personality, and consistency between visits. Restaurants will receive multiple inspections throughout the year, and those that meet the criteria can receive Michelin stars.
Michelin stars are highly coveted distinctions that highlight a restaurant’s excellence. One star indicates high-quality cooking worth stopping for, two stars mean excellent cooking worth a detour, and three stars signify exceptional cuisine worthy of a special journey.
Mississippi is expected to be well-represented in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide selection, with many restaurants vying for a spot. “We’re hopeful that even being included in consideration will help put Mississippi’s culinary scene on the map,” said Coats.
The inclusion of Mississippi in the MICHELIN Guide marks an important milestone in the state’s tourism industry, which is built around its unique culinary landscape. From traditional southern comfort food to innovative young chefs, Mississippi has something to offer visitors. As Coats concludes, “It’s worth traveling for.”
Source: https://www.mississippifreepress.org/worth-traveling-for-mississippi-to-be-included-in-michelin-guide-american-south