SingleThread and Cyrus keep their Michelin stars for 2024

In what was the most embarrassing Michelin Guide California awards ceremony in history, Monday night’s 2024 awards gala in Half Moon Bay left a bitter taste in the mouths of thousands of viewers who were unable to watch the event.

Considered the Oscars of gastronomy, the annual Michelin Guide California awards can make or break a restaurant.

But a last-minute technical glitch with the livestreaming equipment at the invitation-only event had local audiences scrambling to find alternative livestreams. Even for attendees, the surprising lack of new stars and confusion over who would keep (or lose) stars cast a shadow over what is typically one of the most eagerly awaited events in the restaurant world.

However, further details were provided in a press release sent after the event.

Sonoma and Napa did not receive any new stars for 2024. Barndiva in Healdsburg lost its star after changing its concept from fine dining to casual cafe in January.

Molti Amici was the only North Bay restaurant to receive a new Bib Gourmand award. This distinction is given to restaurants that offer good food at a moderate price.

The (still) winners

There are still plenty of winners who kept their 2023 stars in the new Michelin Guide to California, including Healdsburg’s SingleThread (3 stars) and Harbor House in Elk (2 stars). Maintaining their one-star status are Auberge du Soleil (Rutherford), Auro (Calistoga), Cyrus (Geyserville), Kenzo (Napa) and Press (St. Helena).

Maintaining Bib Gourmand status: Ciccio (Yountville), El Molino Central (Sonoma), FolkTable (Sonoma), Glen Ellen Star (Glen Ellen), Khom Loi (Sebastopol), Ramen Gaijin (Sebastopol), Stockhome (Petaluma) and Valley ( Sonoma).

So what happened?

From the start of Monday’s Michelin Guide Golden State event, things were chaotic as anxious chefs, hospitality workers, restaurateurs and journalists waited for the start of a 7 p.m. livestream to watch the awards.

After an agonizing wait, Michelin’s YouTube channel announced that the live broadcast will no longer be available.

“We are very sorry to hear the news and are excited to share it with you, so please check back and we will post links to stories detailing the awards as they are announced.” (They didn’t.)

Local chef Rogelio Garcia of Calistoga restaurant Auro (a 2023 and 2024 star winner) was on hand, pointing his phone toward the stage in an Instagram Live stream. At one point, nearly 300 people were watching, including several local chefs. Eater LA journalists provided running commentary on foibles while streaming live on Instagram.

It was often unclear who exactly won the awards, due to blurry hand-held images, loud background noise and event cameramen frequently standing in front of the stage.

“And thanks to everyone watching from home,” the event host said, awkwardly ending the event and somehow not noticing the technical glitch.

To which one Instagram viewer responded: “This stream gets no stars.”

The first American Michelin Guide was published in 2005 for New York. San Francisco and the Bay Area were added in 2008, and a statewide guide for California appeared for the first time in 2019. The Michelin Guide was first published in France in 1900 to encourage car travel (and the use of Michelin tires) and to offer hotel and restaurant recommendations.