Long before it became the gold standard of fine dining, Michelin was merely trying to get people on the road, and in turn, boost tire purchases. Producing a guide filled with information for travelers, such as how to change a tire and where to fill up on petrol, they also offered a list of places to eat. As time passed, they began to award stars to fine dining establishments, initially marking them with a single star, before introducing a hierarchy of stars. This star system now carries global weight.
Today, the Michelin Guide is known for its famously discreet inspectors and its coveted stars, awarded annually based on the following criteria - ingredient quality, harmony of flavors, the mastery of culinary techniques, how the Chef’s personality shines through their cuisine and consistency across the menu and over time.
Across the United States, there are many Black-owned restaurants that continue to set the standard for culinary excellence; however, only a handful of restaurants led by Black chefs have received Michelin stars. While the Michelin Guide captures only a sliver of the culinary world, this list serves as a reminder to keep supporting Black-owned restaurants at every level, even as we acknowledge the chefs who have broken through the industry’s most exclusive doors.
Gerald Sombright - Knife & Spoon, Florida
In 2022, Gerald Sombright achieved a significant milestone, being recognized as the first Black man in the United States to earn a Michelin Star. Starting as a dishwasher in St. Louis, he worked his way up to becoming the opening chef at Knife & Spoon inside the Ritz-Carlton, Orlando, Florida, where he led the restaurant to its first Michelin Star. Today, he is the Executive Chef for the culinary program at The Club at The Dunes, a luxury resort, in Florida.
Charlie Mitchell - Clover Hill, New York
In October 2022, Chef Charlie Mitchell made history as the first Black chef in New York City to earn a Michelin Star for Clover Hill, an intimate, fine-dining restaurant that he co-owned and led as Executive Chef. He has since moved to Saga, a two-Star Michelin restaurant that closed in 2024 but reopened its doors in September 2025 with Mitchell at the helm as the Executive Chef.
Christian Hunter - Atelier, Chicago
Christian Hunter became Chicago’s only Black Michelin-Star chef in 2023 when his Black-owned fine-dining restaurant, Atelier, earned a coveted star just nine months after opening under his culinary direction. He continued to expand his footprint in 2025 with the opening of Hooligan, a 50-seat seafood and wine bar inside Time Out Market, Chicago.
Mariya Russell, Kikkō, Chicago
In 2020, Mariya Moore-Russell made history as the first Black woman to lead a Michelin-star kitchen. Kikkō, the basement-level omakase-style restaurant in Chicago, won the award less than a year after Russell took the helm. Today, she has her own pop-up supper club Chicago called Connie’s Underground focused on sustainable cooking through family recipes.
