Austin Chefs React to Awards at 2024 Michelin Star Awards

The Michelin Guide shook up the Texas culinary scene with its first ceremony in the state on Monday. Austin chefs reacted on social media to the long-awaited awards. Here’s what they had to say.

Edgar Rico wins Michelin Guide 2024 Texas Young Chef Award

Chef Edgar Rico received the Michelin Guide Texas Young Chef Award 2024. The award recognizes rising stars in the culinary world and highlights their potential to shape the future of gastronomy. Rico is the chef at Nixta Taqueria, which received a Bib Gourmand honor at the ceremony.

In a joint post on Instagram, writer Rodrigo Bravo congratulated Rico, saying: “As always, representing the pa’ gente and letting people know that immigrants make our food, and they make it delicious.”

When asked what gave him purpose and pride in his work at the ceremony, Chef Rico said, “Cooking delicious food and showcasing Mexican culture every day. Immigrants are what make this country and this state an amazing place.”

The East Side Taqueria was recognized in our 2024 Restaurant Guide. It was one of three restaurants that took first place out of 33 restaurants.

The barbeque is out of this world and has earned the honor of Michelin

Interstellar appeared with his unusual barbecue and left as one of three barbecue establishments to receive one star from the Michelin guide.

“To be honest, speechless. Tonight we’re drinking bourbon, and tomorrow I have a team of amazing people to thank,” chef John Bates wrote on his Instagram.

The Statesman ranked Interstellar BBQ #26 in its 2024 restaurant guide.

Original review: Interstellar BBQ is some of the best BBQ in Austin.

Austin’s new-school barbecue shines with a Michelin star

Watch as Texas football player Calvin Banks Jr. cooks the best barbecue in Austin

Food critic Matthew Odam joins Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Calvin Banks Jr. for an exclusive Statesman interview.

LeRoy and Lewis’ New School BBQ joint has earned one of the three stars awarded to barbecue joints in Austin.

The barbecue joint expressed its admiration for the other restaurants in a post on Instagram: “Congratulations to everyone who earned the recognition, especially our restaurant partners ATX and BBQ Halls!!! We are so lucky to be a part of such a great community!”

Leroy & Lewis was ranked #13 in our 2024 Restaurant Guide.

Original review: LeRoy and Lewis is the most original and one of the best barbecue restaurants in Austin

The legacy of the late chef Leanne Muller lives on with a Michelin star

East Austin barbecue restaurant La Barbecue has earned one star from the Michelin Guide. The restaurant continues the legacy of the late LeAnn Mueller with her crust and spices.

The restaurant is now run by Mueller’s widow, Ali Clem. She expressed her surprise in a post on Instagram, where she wrote: “!!!!! Speechless!!”

La Barbecue restaurant ranked 33rd in our 2024 restaurant guide.

Green thumbs up: Dai Due recognized by Michelin

Dai Due was one of only two restaurants in Texas to receive a Michelin Green Star. The award recognizes restaurants for their ethical and environmental practices.

In an Instagram post, Dai Due’s pastry chef Tiffany DeJesus wrote, “I’m so happy to be a part of this team.” She was pictured with a green trophy on the Michelin red carpet.

The restaurant took 6th place in our restaurant guide for 2024.

Green Star for Emmer & Rye’s sustainability efforts

Emmer & Rye is the second restaurant in Texas to receive a Green Star. The restaurant embodies the spirit of the award, housed in its 9-year-old home on Rainey Street with towering skyscrapers surrounding it.

COO Erin Fraser joined in the celebration on Instagram Stories, showing off Green Star. She wrote: “@emmerandrye FOR LIFE BABYEEEE!!!!!!”

The restaurant was recognized at number 30 in our 2024 restaurant guide.

Bib Gourmand win for fusion cuisine from Kemuri Tatsu-Ya

The team at the Japanese-Texas fusion restaurant Kemuri Tatsu-Ya celebrated receiving the Bib Gourmand. The award recognizes restaurants that offer good food at a reasonable price.

“At Kemuri, we set out to create a place where Japanese flavors feel at home with Texas traditions,” said Executive Chef Tatsu Aikawa. “This honor goes to our dedicated team who put their heart and soul into every dish, and to our guests who make this journey possible.”

Original review: Cultural exchange: The wonderful Kemuri Tatsu-Ya combines Texas and Japan

From Netflix to Michelin: KG BBQ’s receives Bib Gourmand

KG BBQ’s Egyptian take on classic barbecue also won a Bib Gourmand. The food truck gained popularity after Karim El-Gayesh’s participation in the Netflix barbecue series Barbecue Showdown. He became a quarter-finalist of the competition.

“Today we are making history… Congratulations to all Texas restaurants. What an honor to be a part of the first ever @michelinguide in the great state of Texas,” the restaurant’s Instagram post reads.

Ramen del Barrio batch of flavors receives Michelin Bib Gourmand

The Statesman 2023 favorite also received a Bib Gourmand. Ramen del Barrio was recognized on the restaurant list last year after it opened.

The restaurant celebrated the other winners in a post on Instagram: “It was great to see friends, mentors and chefs from all over. Congratulations to all the other winners tonight, it’s incredible to be among you!”