Michelin retires Green Stars

Michelin has ended the Green Star, a sustainability distinction it introduced in 2020 to recognize restaurants for environmental and ethical practices, and chefs say the move removes a public signal they had used with diners. Michelin disclosed the change in a post last month introducing a new initiative called “Mindful Voices,” saying, “At the same time, the Green Star, which was limited to the culinary arts, will be discontinued.” (guide.michelin.com) The decision became more widely noticed on August 6 as chefs described learning that they could no longer advertise the designation. (guide.michelin.com) Joe Frillman, owner and executive chef of Daisies in Chicago’s Logan Square, told the Chicago Tribune syndication carried by The Star that the award had helped attract customers who specifically cared about sustainability. ### When did Michelin actually end the Green Star? Michelin said in a post published in May that the Green Star “will be discontinued” as it launched Mindful Voices, a new editorial concept tied to gastronomy, hospitality and wine. (thestar.com.my) Michelin also said Mindful Voices would be unveiled at the Michelin Guide Nordic Countries Ceremony on June 1, 2026, in Copenhagen and then expanded more broadly through 2026. The August 6 reporting from The Star said Michelin had “quietly announced” last month that it was phasing out the distinction and that chefs would no longer be able to advertise that they had it. (thestar.com.my) ### What was the Green Star supposed to recognize? Michelin described the Green Star in a 2022 explainer as an annual award for restaurants “at the forefront” of sustainable practices. The guide said recipients were judged on ethical and environmental standards, work with sustainable producers and suppliers, and efforts to avoid waste and reduce plastic and other non-recyclable materials. (guide.michelin.com) Michelin launched the designation separately from its one-, two- and three-star awards for cooking. In its current restaurant taxonomy, the guide still lists the traditional Michelin Star distinctions, Bib Gourmand and other selections, but the Green Star is being retired rather than continued as a parallel award. (thestar.com.my) ### What is replacing it? Mindful Voices is not a restaurant award. Michelin said the project is a global editorial platform that will “highlight and share the stories and pioneering practices” of chefs, hoteliers and wine producers across its website, app, social channels, print products and events. (guide.michelin.com) Michelin said the new initiative reflects its expansion beyond restaurant rankings into hotels and wine. The company said the rollout begins with gastronomy and then extends into hospitality and wine. (guide.michelin.com) ### Why are chefs objecting? Joe Frillman said the Green Star had real value as a signal to customers. He recalled diners telling him, “We saw you got a Green Star … this is important to us and we want to spend our money with you,” according to The Star’s August 6 report. (guide.michelin.com) Frillman said Daisies 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. He called the decision “a let-down” and said restaurants that earned the distinction deserved more than what he described as a brief footnote explaining the end of a program tied to environmental standards. (guide.michelin.com) ### What happens next? Michelin said Mindful Voices content will be accessible through the magazine section of the Michelin Guide website and app, and that featured participants will also appear at key Michelin Guide events. (thestar.com.my) The company said the rollout would continue in Europe and then worldwide through 2026. As of August 6, the immediate practical change for restaurants is that the Green Star is no longer a distinction Michelin intends to keep in place, and chefs cited by The Star said they are no longer permitted to advertise it. (guide.michelin.com) (thestar.com.my)