Michelin retires Green Star award

Michelin said on May 18 it will retire the Green Star, a sustainability distinction it introduced in 2020 for restaurants recognized for environmental practices. The company is replacing it with “Mindful Voices,” a new editorial platform that it says will highlight chefs, hoteliers and wine producers across gastronomy, hospitality and wine. The change ends a six-year run for an award Michelin had used alongside its traditional stars, Bib Gourmand and selected listings. At the same time, Michelin is continuing to widen its guide footprint in markets including the U.S. Great Lakes region and South Australia. ### When did Michelin decide to end the Green Star? May 18 is the date Michelin used for its announcement of “Mindful Voices,” the initiative that accompanies the Green Star’s retirement. Michelin said Mindful Voices “begins on June 1, 2026” at the Michelin Guide Nordic Countries Ceremony in Copenhagen and will roll out in Europe and then worldwide through 2026. Trade publications reporting the change said Michelin described the Green Star as being gradually phased out. (guide.michelin.com) The Green Star was first revealed in 2020 and introduced into several 2021 Michelin Guide editions, according to Michelin’s own explainer on the distinction. Michelin said the award was created to recognize restaurants committed to more sustainable gastronomy. ### What is replacing the sustainability award? Mindful Voices is an editorial platform rather than a scored distinction. (guide.michelin.com) Michelin said it will “amplify the commitment of inspirational chefs, hoteliers and wine producers” and will start with gastronomy before extending to hospitality and wine. Michelin’s website now promotes Mindful Voices on its homepage, where the company says it is “reaching beyond gastronomy” to spotlight people who inspire it across hospitality and vineyards. (guide.michelin.com) That positioning differs from the Green Star, which functioned as a badge attached to restaurants in Michelin’s guide ecosystem. ### How did the Green Star work while it existed? Michelin said the Green Star recognized restaurants with sustainability practices, but it did not replace the company’s core hierarchy of one, two and three stars. (guide.michelin.com) Michelin also maintained Bib Gourmand and selected listings as separate forms of recognition. Michelin’s Green Star pages still show editorial coverage tied to restaurants in cities including London, Miami, Boulder and Atlanta. (guide.michelin.com) Those pages describe sustainability as a broad concept interpreted differently by each restaurant. ### Is Michelin still expanding even as it drops this award? Cleveland is part of Michelin’s next U.S. expansion. Michelin said the new American Great Lakes edition will cover Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Pittsburgh, with inspectors already in the field and the inaugural selection to be revealed in 2027. (guide.michelin.com) Michelin International Director Gwendal Poullennec said the guide was committed to helping people discover dining experiences in new destinations. (guide.michelin.com) South Australia is also being added. Michelin said on May 11 that the inaugural Michelin Guide South Australia 2027 selection will be revealed in October 2026 and will span the region. ### What happens next for Michelin’s guide structure? June 1 is the next dated milestone. Michelin said Mindful Voices will be unveiled at the Nordic Countries ceremony in Copenhagen on that date, with a broader rollout through 2026. (guide.michelin.com) October 2026 is the next guide launch tied to Michelin’s geographic expansion, when South Australia’s inaugural selection is due. (guide.michelin.com) In 2027, Michelin plans to reveal the first American Great Lakes selection, including Cleveland, at a ceremony whose date has not yet been announced. (guide.michelin.com)