Michelin announcement set for 'rock star' makeover as public are invited to two-day launch event

The annual Michelin star announcement is set for a "rock star" makeover in 2020, with members of the public to join chefs and restaurateurs for the launch of the Great Britain and Ireland Guide, according to Restaurant Association president Robert Walton.

Speaking at the Restaurant Association Gala Dinner on Monday, Walton said tickets will go on sale for a two-day event held at the Camden Roundhouse in London on 18 and 19 October 2020.

“Chefs are the rock stars of hospitality, so let’s make it a rock star event – super cool, modern and trendy, but relaxed,” Walton told The Caterer.

“Camden Roundhouse is an iconic rock and roll event space. My vision is having a band kicking it off. It will be the Brit Awards of hospitality.”

Walton said the audience will be made up of 400 invited chefs and industry VIPs and 500 paying members of the public.

For the first time, Michelin Plates and Bib Gourmands will be unveiled at a live event on 18 October, while new Michelin stars will be announced the following day on 19 October.

“The reason big name chefs haven’t been going to the Michelin star revelations recently is because it’s not been a very good event, too long and not sexy,” said Walton.

“I want to have all 159 one-Michelin-starred chefs in the room and five three-Michelin-starred chefs. The way to get them there is to make it a cool event.”

Walton is the founder of the Nth Degree private dining club, which he says has reached an agreement with Michelin to run the Great Britain and Ireland Guide 2021 launch event.

The launch of the 2020 guide was held at the Hurlingham Club in Fulham, west London, on 7 October 2019.

The 2020 guide features a total of 1,464 restaurants, five of which now hold three stars, 23 two stars and 159 one star. A total of 16 restaurants lost stars in the 2020 guide.

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