Evalda Šiškauskienė, head of the Lithuanian Hotel and Restaurant Association, says that the inclusion of the country's catering establishments in the Michelin guide will have a very positive impact on tourism and will attract wealthy visitors.
"First of all, we are on the international map, and really, as much as we talked with both Estonians and Latvians, that experience is fantastic. Quite different flows of tourists are simply increasing, those who are interested in gastronomy, those who specifically go to countries for tasting. Rich people stay for a few days, bypass several restaurants, because Michelin not only gives stars, but also recommends them," E. Šiškauskienė told BNS.
This is what she said when Michelin announced this week that it will announce the Lithuanian restaurants it will include in its guide in June.
The Ministry of Economy and Innovation told BNS that, in order to be included in the Michelin guide, Lithuania paid over 1,5 million. EUR without value added tax (VAT).
A three-year contract was signed for this sum, during which Michelin evaluators will repeatedly visit Lithuania and possibly raise the rating of restaurants or give an evaluation to a new restaurant, part of the money will be allocated to the promotion of the country.
"Still, it is necessary to spread the word and say that there are already Michelin in Lithuania, this is the advertising campaign there. (…) During those three years, when the contract was signed, they come every year and re-evaluate those rated (restaurants - BNS), they also go to other regions and sometimes they also announce additional restaurants", said E. Šiškauskienė.
She also added that it is not easy to get into the "Michelin" guide - Lithuania managed to invite the experts of the guide only on the third attempt.
Michelin was not interested in the Baltic countries at all. He did not go to any of the Baltic countries. Before COVID-19, we did a second test with both "Go Vilnius" and "Travel in Lithuania"but there was still no interest in the country. (…) They decide for themselves, you will neither push them nor bribe them", explained E. Šiškauskienė.
"This is the most representative guide available in the world. To enter it is already a great honor, a great recognition and a great challenge for both the country and the restaurant, it is simply the most prestigious rating in the world, covering not only Europe, but the entire country," she added.
Michelin claims to be the first selected in the country restaurants will be presented on June 13 in Vilnius.
The Latvian restaurant "Max Cekot Kitchen" was awarded a Michelin star in November 2023, and the Estonian restaurants "NOA Chef's Hall" and "180 by Matthias Diether" were each awarded a Michelin star in the summer of 2022.
The Michelin Guide is an internationally well-known and prestigious ranking of restaurants that evaluates them according to various criteria and awards them Michelin stars.
The author is Goda Vileikytė
