Michelin retires Green Stars designation

Michelin has retired its Green Star designation, ending a sustainability label it introduced in 2020 for restaurants recognized for environmental and ethical practices. The change surfaced in a Michelin Guide post last month introducing “Mindful Voices,” a new editorial initiative, which said the Green Star “will be discontinued.” The move has drawn criticism from chefs who had used the Green Star as a public signal of sustainability credentials. The Star reported on Aug. 6 that Joe Frillman, owner and executive chef of Daisies in Chicago, said the award had helped attract diners who specifically wanted to spend money at restaurants with those values. ### What exactly did Michelin end? (guide.michelin.com) Michelin’s Green Star was a separate annual distinction for restaurants “at the forefront of the industry” on sustainable practices, according to the guide’s own explainer published in 2022. Michelin said inspectors looked at factors including ingredient sourcing, seasonality, waste systems, recycling, resource management and how restaurants communicated their approach to guests. (thestar.com.my) A Michelin Guide announcement tied to Mindful Voices said, “At the same time, the Green Star, which was limited to the culinary arts, will be discontinued.” The company said Mindful Voices would spotlight people in gastronomy, hospitality and wine who are “innovating and launching inspiring initiatives.” ### How big was the Green Star program? (guide.michelin.com) Michelin said in its 2022 explainer that 287 restaurants worldwide held a Green Star at that time. The guide also said any restaurant in Michelin’s selection was eligible, whether it held a Michelin Star, a Bib Gourmand or another Michelin listing. Archived Michelin pages and articles still show Green Star references across multiple markets, including the United States, Mexico and Asia, indicating the designation had been used internationally before the phaseout. (thestar.com.my) That suggests Michelin is ending a global badge rather than a single-country experiment. ### Why are chefs objecting? Joe Frillman told The Star that Daisies benefited directly after receiving a Green Star in 2024. (guide.michelin.com) He said diners from out of town mentioned the distinction and one customer photographed the Green Star plaque before leaving. Frillman said Daisies staff did not hear directly from Michelin about the phaseout and that he learned of it through Instagram after seeing posts from other Green Star restaurants. (guide.michelin.com) He told the paper the restaurants that earned the label deserved more than a brief note explaining the end of a program that had promoted sustainability in the industry. (thestar.com.my) ### What is Michelin putting in its place? Michelin said Mindful Voices is a new editorial platform rather than a replacement award. The company said it would feature chefs, hoteliers and wine producers and would roll out first in Europe and then worldwide through 2026. Gwendal Poullennec, Michelin Guide’s international director, said in the Mindful Voices announcement that the initiative would give a platform to people “redefining the rules” in their fields. (thestar.com.my) Michelin said the project began on June 1, 2026, at the Michelin Guide Nordic Countries ceremony in Copenhagen. ### Where will readers see the change next? (guide.michelin.com) Michelin’s guide site now centers its restaurant distinctions on Stars, Bib Gourmand and selected listings, alongside hotel and wine coverage. The company said Mindful Voices content will appear across its website, app, social media and print publications as the rollout continues through 2026. Chicago restaurants such as Daisies and Feld, which The Star identified as Green Star recipients, are among the places where diners and chefs will now have to rely on Michelin’s editorial coverage rather than a standalone sustainability badge. (guide.michelin.com) (thestar.com.my) (guide.michelin.com)