Michelin ceremony announced for June. Will our restaurants gain — or lose — stars?
Michelin stars — among the most coveted honors in dining — will be awarded June 24 as the guide unveils its 2026 California ratings.
Each year, the Michelin Guide holds ceremonies where it announces which restaurants receive recognition from the guide. Awarded restaurants may receive one to three star ratings indicating a level of excellence. Attendance at the event, this year at the San Diego waterfront venue Eve, is by invitation only.
According to the Michelin Guide website, ratings are based on five criteria: quality of the ingredients used, mastery of flavor and cooking techniques, the personality of the chef in the cuisine, harmony of flavors and consistency between visits.
In addition, the guide offers the Bib Gourmand, a rating that recognizes more casual establishments that serve good food at moderate prices. The guide also includes additional recommended restaurants that the guide still deems worthy without bestowing any official award.
Last year, the ceremony was held in Sacramento at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center.
For the 2025 guide, Michelin announced that two restaurants, Localis and The Kitchen, would retain their one-star status. No new stars were awarded nor any taken away. Chris Barnum-Dann of Localis was also awarded the California 2025 Sommelier Award.
Three restaurants were added to the guide: Thai street food eatery Kin Thai, Vietnamese spot Pho Momma and modern pizzeria Majka. Pho Momma was awarded Bib Gourmand status. In total, 15 Sacramento area restaurants are in the guide.
Chris Barnum-Dann, chef-owner of Localis, one of the currently starred restaurants, has recently found himself at the center of controversy over allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior, belittlement and wage tampering.
The accusations bubbled up following Barnum-Dann’s announcement of plans to open four new concepts within the year, including three at the new Tower Broadway building. The developers behind that project have said that they are “taking a pause” in light of the allegations.
It is unclear whether the Michelin Guide will factor the allegations into its considerations for awarding star ratings.
This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 3:55 PM.
