Local chefs keep reaching for the Michelin star

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — They are some of the best restaurants in the world and they just happen to be in the San Diego area.

The Michelin stars are out and there are winners and losers. Chefs says this year the guide was particularly merciless, dropping two now formerly Michelin-starred restaurants and awarding only four restaurants in San Diego County the coveted Michelin star.

“It’s such a great affirmation for all of us to understand what we are doing is recognized,” said Eric Bost the Chef Jeune Et Jolie a Michelin Star Winner.

The single star winners are Jeune Et Jolie in Carlsbad, Valle in Oceanside Soichi Sushi in University Heights and the only three-star winning restaurant in Southern California The Addison in Del Mar.

“It’s a Super Bowl every day, there’s no playoffs, there’s no regular season. It’s a Super Nowl in this type of restaurant,” said Chef Roberto Alcocer from Valle, a Michelin star winner.

In the North County, Valle has revitalized Oceanside and Chef Roberto Alcocer says retaining his keeps his team working at their best.

“The pressure for keeping it is going to be as hard as it’s part of the game, and you accept those rules when you start,” Alcocer said.

The celebrated Mexican chef says at this high level there is no shouting because his team is already that good and they know their star is on the line.

“When I travel, I’m not like ‘Oh, let’s go to that restaurant that just lost a star,’” Alcocer said.

Chef Eric Bost says the Michelin Club is small and built a little differently.

“I feel like we are all kind of hardwired to be in this restless process of improvement all the time, so no fear, but every year we do have to re-win it and it is always the question. That keeps the pressure very front and center,” Bost said.

At the end of the day, the dedication artistry, the decades of training, the sleepless nights of creativity create the experience enjoyed by thousands of lucky San Diegans, and these four restaurants literally put the communities on the map.

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