Boulder Included in Michelin Guide Expansion

• Michelin Guide will assess Boulder in its 2023 inaugural
Colorado restaurant selection
• Inspectors are already in the destination, exploring Boulder’s culinary scene

BOULDER, Colo., June 21, 2023 – Visit Boulder, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, today announced that Boulder will be included in the 2023 Michelin Guide Colorado. 

A leader in Colorado’s culinary landscape, Boulder has been named “America’s Foodiest Town” by Bon Appétit and is home to many James Beard, Top Chef and Food Network award winners. 

Boulder has a unique ecosystem of world-class chefs, with an emphasis on sustainable and locally sourced ingredients and a culture of innovation. Many Boulder restaurants source their ingredients from local producers, placing environmental stewardship at the forefront of dining along with fresh, seasonal fare and flavors inspired by Boulder’s connection to the outdoors. Boulder’s expansive culinary scene is made up of a variety of creative global influences, farm-to-table pioneers and an abundance of local gems that create the type of meaningful food experiences that can only be found at the base of Flatirons. 

“This is an incredible opportunity for the Boulder community,” said Charlene Hoffman, CEO of Visit Boulder. “The presence of the Michelin Guide in Boulder will benefit the entire economic ecosystem and hospitality workforce and cement Boulder’s place among the nation’s top culinary destinations,” said Hoffman. 

Visit Boulder has been focused on the health of the restaurant industry for the past several years, especially during the recovery from the pandemic. In 2022, the hotel and restaurant industries teamed together for the first time to support additional ARPA funding from the city of Boulder to bolster destination marketing when the hospitality industry needed additional support. Michelin’s decision to review Boulder’s restaurants aligns well with Visit Boulder’s strategy to highlight the strength of the town’s culinary scene and to ensure Boulder restaurants continue to flourish.

“Our city has so many incredible attributes – with our renowned outdoor beauty leading the way. We are encouraged and delighted to welcome Michelin into Boulder’s restaurants,” said Aaron Brockett, City of Boulder Mayor. “Food is a fantastic way to experience our city, and we are thrilled for the opportunity to share Boulder’s welcoming hospitality, sustainable values and exceptional culinary experiences with the rest of the world. It is great news for Boulder travelers and residents alike,” said Brockett.

Michelin Guide in Colorado

Colorado is the newest destination being reviewed by the Michelin Guide and the eighth in North America as a result of a partnership between Michelin and the Colorado Tourism Office. Boulder joins Denver, Aspen and Snowmass Village, the Town of Vail and Beaver Creek Resort in the 2023 Michelin Guide Colorado. The first edition of the Guide will be revealed later in 2023.

“Colorado’s delicious restaurants are at the heart of our communities, and they are a place where we can gather with friends and family,” said Governor Jared Polis. “Colorado’s restaurants support our strong economy, and the Michelin Guide is a strong recognition of the incredible talent and delicious locally sourced ingredients that define our restaurant community,” said Gov. Polis. 

The Polis administration continues to take bold and innovative action to support Colorado restaurants. During the COVID pandemic, Gov. Polis signed legislation to save restaurants money and allow caterers, food service contractors, and hotel bars and restaurants to keep six months of state sales tax collections, saving up to $2,000/month per location. From the successful Revitalizing Main Streets grants that provide ongoing support to boost Colorado’s small businesses to make it nearly free to start a business, the Polis administration in partnership with the legislature continue to make Colorado the best place to live, work and do business. 

Background and Methodology

Known for their commitment to anonymity to ensure fair appraisal, Michelin inspectors are already in the field exploring the culinary offerings throughout the Colorado locations. In addition to the notable one, two or three Michelin Star ratings, the inspectors also award the Bib Gourmand distinction to restaurants offering exceptional food at moderate prices. Selected restaurants may also receive a Green Star for their commitment to sustainable gastronomy. The Guide will also feature special awards for restaurant team professionals and additional recommendations. 

The forthcoming Michelin Guide selection of Colorado restaurants will follow Michelin’s century-old review criteria: 1) quality products; 2) the harmony of flavors; 3) the mastery of cooking techniques; 4) the voice and personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine; 5) consistency between each visit (each is inspected several times a year) and throughout the menu as a whole. 

The Michelin Guide was established in 1900 by the Michelin brothers to inspire motorists to travel, by providing useful trip-planning information including hotel and restaurant recommendations. Today, the Michelin Guide is valued as an esteemed resource for culinary recommendations in more than 40 worldwide destinations thanks in part to its independent and proven methodology. 

The restaurant recommendations will be available alongside the Michelin Guide selection of hotels, highlighting the most exciting places to stay in Colorado and around the world. The Michelin Guide is available to browse online and with the free iOS and Android app.

About Michelin North America, Inc.

Michelin, the leading mobility company, is working with tires, around tires and beyond tires to enable Motion for Life. Dedicated to enhancing its clients’ mobility and sustainability, Michelin designs and distributes the most suitable tires, services and solutions for its customers’ needs. Michelin provides digital services, maps and guides to help enrich travel and make them unique experiences. Bringing its expertise to new markets, the company is investing in high-technology materials, 3D printing and hydrogen, to serve a wide variety of industries — from aerospace to biotech. Headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, Michelin North America has approximately 23,000 employees and operates 34 production facilities in the United States and Canada. (www.michelinman.com) 

About Visit Boulder, the Convention and Visitors Bureau

Visit Boulder, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, is the official destination marketing organization for the city of Boulder, Colorado. Established in 1985, Visit Boulder provides leadership in promoting Boulder’s natural environment, arts, culture, innovation and the visitor experience to support economic vitality, residents' quality of life and protection of Boulder’s outdoor assets. Responsible for the Boulder brand, Visit Boulder works to inspire new and existing audiences to meet in or visit Boulder by highlighting the one-of-a-kind assets, businesses and values that make Boulder a vibrant and welcoming place in which to live, visit, work and play. (www.bouldercoloradousa.com)
 

Media Resources

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