The MICHELIN Guide is a guidebook that has been published by the French tyre company MICHELIN since 1900. The guidebook recognizes establishments with outstanding culinary performance in related aspects and it is one of the most notable international food guides.

This is the first MICHELIN Guide recognition after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 46 food establishments were recognised in the MICHELIN Guide, including 2 restaurants with one MICHELIN Star, 17 Bib Gourmand, 27 MICHELIN Selected; and the MICHELIN Young Chef Award, making it a truly historical moment for Penang. Throughout years, the Penang state government has worked relentlessly in supporting the promotion of the food culture in Penang. This recognition sees enhancement of Penang as the international gastronomic paradise after countless accolades being accredited to Penang.

This collaboration with MICHELIN Guide is one the efforts and initiatives by the Penang state government in rebooting tourism sector after the severe impact to the industry due to the outbreak of pandemic. As the beacon of recovery and growth of local businesses of the state, it has also elevated Penang's culinary reputation to a greater height in order to welcome more recognition to this food haven.

Penang is known to be the paradise of food with wide arrays of street hawker stalls, old-school coffee shops, fine dining establishments and unique Peranakan cuisine. "In Penang, you get an authentic local dining experience with numerous small-scale restaurants and street food establishments that showcase local lifestyle with flavorsome food such as Nasi Kandar, Assam Laksa, Char Koay Teow, Curry Mee and so on." said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director, The MICHELIN Guide.

Due to its fame in the multi-cultural culinary experience available, Penang is frequented by travellers from around the world, resulting in the growth to the city. This can be seen with the extreme rebound of the tourism industry since the reopening of international borders in April 2022 with the constantly inclining number of passengers movement at Penang International Airport.

The growing number of passengers docked on the shore of Penang via international cruises further strengthen Penang's position as one of the international favourite food hunt destinations to go for.

To provide better hospitality and stay experiences to its visitors, the Penang state government is also constantly looking into improving its amenities and infrastructures. The completion of Esplanade's facelift and upgrades of Swettenham Port is one of the efforts put in place to achieve the aim.

Also attended the celebration to show appreciation and recognition were the Chief Minister of Penang, YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow and the Penang State EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy, YB Yeoh Soon Hin who presented mementoes to the awardees.