RIOTUR – The City of Rio Tourism Board announced that the Michelin Guide will be presented on April 8, 2015 launching the publishing of the Red Michelin Guide Rio and Sao Paulo, which ranks restaurants by stars.

The Secretary of Tourism of Rio, who for years was carrying off for the inclusion of the city in the guide, is preparing a reception for the chefs selected by the French editors.

It is a brand name edition for long deserved to the City of Rio, and the guide will disclose the gastronomy of our ‘Marvellous City’ restaurants to the world, said Antonio Pedro Figueira de Mello, Secretary of Tourism, celebrating the important news .

“The Brazilian gourmet dining scene has been developing steadily in recent years, led by particularly creative chefs,” said Michelin Director Michael Ellis.

Michelin Guides are a series of annual guide books published by the French company Michelin for more than one hundred years. The term normally refers to the Michelin Red Guide, the oldest European hotel and restaurant reference guide, which awards Michelin stars for excellence to a select few establishments.

In 1926, the guide began to award stars for fine dining establishments. Initially, there was only a single star awarded. Then, in 1931, the hierarchy of one, two, and three stars was introduced. Finally, In 1936, the criteria for the starred rankings were published.

Only about 10 percent of reviews are starred restaurants. There also are a number of restaurants included that don’t have stars but are judged worthy of a visit, as well as the “Bib Gourmande” rankings of more casual places.

“The country has also become a very attractive destination for foreign chefs who are curious to discover products, traditions and cooking styles unlike any other in the world,” said Michelin Director Michael Ellis.

RIOTOUR is a member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) .