Just like what happened in Shanghai when the city's guide was first unveiled in 2016, the Guangzhou edition has sparked a flurry of debates among foodies, with some championing the rating system and others expressing doubt that Michelin inspectors can appreciate diversified and sophisticated Chinese cuisines.
In the inaugural Guangzhou guide, only eight restaurants were awarded with a star. There were no two- or three-star recipients. Twenty restaurants were awarded with the Bib Gourmand while 35 were given Michelin Plates.
Many foodies expressed disappointment that Guangzhou, a city with a reputation for being a gastronomy paradise, had no restaurants that received more than one Michelin star. In contrast, eight restaurants in Shanghai were awarded two or three stars in the city's first guide.
Ellis attempted to defray tensions by saying that there are other cities in the world where none of the restaurants featured in the inaugural guide are awarded with two or three stars.
Annoyed foodies have taken to the internet to claim that the city does not need a Michelin guide. "Everyone here has his or her own list of favorite restaurants. Because of this, many locals find the Michelin guide unnecessary," says Wallace Wang, a local foodie.
