Why there are no restaurants with Michelin stars in Ukraine

1. Ukraine hasn`t  chefs of such class. Accordingly, there is no really haute cuisine.

Finally, restaurateurs with the name just appeared, they signed their Restaurant chains. But the main question is: where are chefs? It should take some time. Chefs with the name would appear after the restaurateurs. They should be not simple cooks, but rock stars of cooking as Jamie Oliver and Alain Ducasse are. Well-known, popular and charismatic professionals, they will be good examples in the market.

2. The second reason is: the haute cuisine is not interesting to a mass audience.  If we talk about economic and historical measures, haute cuisine is more expensive, that  traditional cuisine. Also there is a big influence of traditional cuisine and people`s tastes. If people eat burgers and fudge about last hundred years, about what kind of high gastronomy we can talking?

Even those who are called «elite» in Ukraine, eat simple, rustic  meals with pleasure.

After all, these people, will leave their money in the restaurants marked with Michelin stars.

3. Also exists the media interest in gastronomy, but it often work not «for» and «against.»

Understanding what is really “good”, and what is” not” is blurry. If Commissioner of Michelin stars came in any of these institutions, he should run away in a minute.

4. There is no school In Ukraine, no teachers. Young people go to study this science in other countries. But there are so few enthusiasts. Someone  finished one of the Le Cordon Bleu departments, one will finish couple of courses at school Ragout in Moscow. And only when these people will begin the practice in Ukraine, they will be example to follow, will be a new generation.

5. Even in the home of Michelin — in France, there is a pronounced trend, called bistronomiya. The main idea is — economy and unpathos. Menus, interiors, the atmosphere are Simple.

Even high gastronomy: the author’s cuisine, interesting, creative, but the average check decreases to the reasonable level. This trend is not a part of Ukraine — the boys must have ambition, so here are some, that dream about Michelin stars.

6. Another reason is not directly related to gastronomy, but it is also important. Ukraine is not very popular tourist`s place. Hardly, European gourmet will come to Ukraine for gastronomic experiences. It means that Ukrainian Michelin restaurants don`t look forward to foreign visitors.

7. I’d be happy if there are places marked Michelin ‘red guide’ in Ukraine. But I am sure that it will not happen soon.

You know, the Russian restaurateur Anatoly Komm so many years engaged in a high molecular kitchen, but he has no star. And we do not have our Komm. In short, I do not see any prerequisites that ,in future,  Michelin restaurants will be in Ukraine. But I’m sure that there will be many interesting things ‘not Michelin’. And that’s fine. I believe in more democratic format.