First Michelin Star in Latvia awarded to Max Cekot Kitchen

RIGA - Micheline Guide has included 22 Latvian restaurants in its latest edition, while the first Michelin Star in Latvia has been awarded to the restaurant Max Cekot Kitchen in Riga.

The Latvian restaurants included in Michelin Selected Restaurants are Pavaru Maja, Turo, Zoltners, Mo, 3 pavari, Whitehouse, 36.linija, John, COD, Le Dome, Chef's Corner, Barents Cocktails & Seafood, Barents, Aqua Luna, Entresol, Ferma, Neiburgs, Tails, H.E.Vanadzins, Akustika, KEST and Riviera. 

KEST has received the Service Award for excellent service, and Ivo Orlovs from Tauro has been awarded as the best sommelier. 

Bib Gourmand, which is awarded to restaurants offering great food for affordable prices, was given to Snatch, Shōyu and Milda. 

Nils Gevele from Ferma emerged as the winner of the Young Chef award. 

Michelin's sustainability emblem Green Star was awarded to the restaurant Pavaru Maja.

"This recognition confirms our commitment to excellence," Economics Minister Viktors Valainis (Greens/Farmers) said at the opening ceremony, adding that the Michelin Guide will also contribute to the future development of the Latvian restaurant industry.

Michelin notes that its inspectors have made a thorough study of Latvia's gastronomic offer and visited not only the capital Riga, but also several other places in Latvia. Michelin inspectors have visited the coast regions of Kurzeme, the seaside city Jurmala, Valmiera, Cesis, Ligatne, Tervete and many other places to assess Latvia's restaurants. 

The Michelin Guide team assesses restaurants in five categories - quality of ingredients, cooking technique, flavors, personality of the chefs and consistency of the food over time.

As reported, the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) signed an EUR 150,000 agreement with Manufacture Francaise des Pneumatiques Michelin for analysis of  Latvia's gastronomic potential, according to the information available in the Electronic Procurement System.

The agreement provided that Michelin Guide would examine more than 30 restaurants in Latvia and share its opinion on them.