After the Michelin Guide Ceremony was held on Thursday night* at the Grand Lisboa Palace (GLP) in Cotai, English-speaking media interviewed chefs of Macau’s newest One-MICHELIN starred restaurants, along with one that retained the distinction, with all highlighting the team effort that goes towards winning the award.
The newly awarded restaurants comprise “Palace Garden” and “Don Alfonso 1890”, both of which are located in GLP and were promoted from previously being “MICHELIN Selected”. The number of 1 MICHELIN starred establishments in Macau now stands at 13.
During the interview with reporters after the ceremony marking the 18th edition of the MICHELIN Guide in Hong Kong and Macau, Palace Garden Head Chef Ken Chong said in response to a question by the Post that winning the award was made possible with a good team: “Winning this award is not something I can do alone. There has to be a good team, environment, and atmosphere to make this happen”, thanking the team for their dedication and passion. Moving forward, Chong told reporters that the team views the win as a new beginning and will continue to evaluate themselves, improve and make quality dishes.
Don Alfonso 1890 Chef Ernesto Iaccarino also told reporters that it was a great feeling for the restaurant to receive the distinction, highlighting the work that the team has been putting in. “I’m quite happy for what they did inside the kitchen and the front of the house service. I’m very happy that MICHELIN recognised the great work of the team”. He added: “The team is essential. The team is everything”, highlighting a symbiotic relationship for everything from inspiration and mentorship to executing plans and visions.
Meanwhile, one of the restaurants that retained their distinction was 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA at Galaxy Macau, with Executive Chef Marino D’Antonio telling reporters: “To retain this star is a great honour and a great opportunity to do better for the year to come”, as well as to improve and try to follow one’s dream, which, along with standards, only goes higher. He continued to highlight the role of the entire team from the kitchen to operations towards retaining the award, while competition always inspires the restaurant to keep doing better and better.
In all, 278 establishments are featured in the MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2026. From the figure, 59 are in Macau, with 21 being MICHELIN Starred. The full list of Macau’s awardees can be found on https://guide.michelin.com/hu/en/macau-region/macau/restaurants
*This article is a follow-up to a story published on Friday, which can be read on: https://www.macaupostdaily.com/news/27739
Chefs from the newly awarded One MICHELIN Star restaurants from Hong Kong and Macau including Palace Garden Head Chef Ken Chong (right) and Don Alfonso 1890 Chef Ernesto Iaccarino (third from right) pose with Bibendum, aka the Michelin Man. – Photo: Rui Pastorin
