Restaurant watchers and foodies might lament the absence of the anticipated third Michelin guide ceremony this year, as a lack of funding — or perhaps an unwillingness to invest in the French guide — has put the kibosh on that enterprise. 

Until now, it has only benefitted the city of Buenos Aires and the province of Mendoza — because they are the ones who have forked out for it. But, hopefully, their woe over the loss of that culinary red carpet event will be assuaged by a new entry in fine-dining grading, as non à Michelin has apparently paved the way for an all-new Argentina-led guide that will ‘replace’ the anonymous beret-wearing (not really) and napkin-dropping (really) inspectors and their opinions.

While no launch date has been set, the collaboration between state-owned energy company YPF and the Argentine Gastronomy Academy will be a national venture, which I wholeheartedly applaud, though it is concerning that of the 43 board members, only two are women (although María Podestá has led the organisation since 2006). Let’s hope this new endeavour doesn’t end up becoming another excuse for the old boys’ club applauding the familiar faces of a narrow field.

Cora and Bar dos Arcos

Meanwhile, the gastronomical powerhouse next door is now home to two restaurants that have affixed the much-coveted three Michelin star plaques to their front doors.

The ceremony at........

© Buenos Aires Herald