Orlando will have three more sparkles on the culinary star map at two restaurants at the Michelin Guided Florida Awards ceremony on Thursday night, at the Florida Awards ceremony at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, with three more sparkles on the culinary star map.
Baldwin Park’s Mysterious Solekara got a double star tap tonight along with one star for Winter Park’s delight.
Additionally, Orlando restaurants Bánh Mì Boy, Coro, Smokemade Meats + Eats and Unigirl each received a distinction of Bib’s Gourmand.
It was deafening to see Solekara, led by executive chef/owner William Shen, joining Miami’s Laterie de Joel Robcheon as two other Maicherin-starved restaurants in Sunshine State. The inspector cited Solekara’s “ambitional vision, great executives and ambitions that are successfully achieved as part of his secret source.”
“It’s a dish of personality,” the Michelin Guide’s Chief Inspector in North America told the Orlando Sentinel.
“We’ve always known Orlando is full of culture and diversity, and it’s on full display tonight,” Johnny Tun said in tears. “The world will really see what we are seeing right now.”
“It’s surreal…it’s surreal,” said William Shen, executive chef/owner of Solekara. “I think the most important thing is we do it the way we do it. Our cooking speaks the way we want to talk about.”
That’s lolIn fact, as a very big night for Solekara, Austin Joseph won the Michelin Trained Service Award as the restaurant’s general manager.
“You know, we run a lot of concepts every day, so tonight is special,” Joseph said. “Chef William is preparing things for Uni girls, trying to keep things up for what is now a Michelin star restaurant. This is what it took him eight years.”
“The service team at Sorekara is exceptional,” Chief Inspector pointed out, expanding the story beyond Joseph and beyond Querive. “Professionalism and personality find a unique balance that creates an experience with heartfelt hospitality. The team is a cohesive unit that works seamlessly with such clear joy.”
These features and more, both Solekara and his team’s “Dayjob” were “Dayjob” at Mills Market, where last month it won the Sentinel 2025 Restaurant of the Year title. The restaurant was also named Best New Restaurant at the Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards of 2025.
This is the first Michelin Rodeo of Romo chef/owner Ryan Latino. His Washington, D.C. venues Bresca and Johnto already have three stars, but tonight the Latino counter is full.
“Chefratino is a prolific and impressive talent in Florida this year,” Chief Inspector said. “His restaurants share DNA, but each one has its own unique personality.”
Similarly, the culinary foundation is also home to Walt Disney World Swan and Latino, partly built in Dolphins.
“I’m extremely proud to be part of the Florida dining scene. It’s great to get two stars in one night,” said Michelin-winning Latino, but never won two separate restaurants in one night. “But we won’t stop, so we just want to continue growing, keeping going and continuing to evolve with all the chefs here in Florida.
“I’m extremely proud of our team. They’re merciless. They never stop and it’s exciting.”
Solekara, Yount’s “Itamaaao and stove in Miami in West Palm Beach along with Yount and The Chef’s Mars counters) were awarded a Michelin star earlier this year to the guide, including three new destinations.
The Green Star, which is spotlighted by restaurants showing strong commitment to sustainable gastronomy and environmental practices, was awarded to Entenos and Stubborn Species at Miami venues. The complete selection of Florida, including all distinctions, currently has a total of 172 restaurants, spanning 39 different dishes.
It was because of their original location that Orlando’s newcomer Palm Beach Meat joined Bib’s gourd companion. Their Sodo Orlando front post base, which opened last December, could have caused a celebratory confusion, as staff and other drinkers heard the news at Restaurant Watch parties at the SODO location.
“I have no words. Really. We were selling wagyu from the trunk of our car. Just being invited here is an honor,” says Eric San Pedro.
For newly-built Michelin winners Jackie and Kaikai Jerry Lau, the evening was a surprise to see them today from their charm, friendship and the food stalls at their ifresh supermarket.
“I started this business when I was 14 and worked my way,” Jerry Lau said. “I am very grateful to our patrons and new customers. Of course, we could not have done it without Johnny, Seko, Jimmy and of course my staff. We maintain production and quality, day and night to serve our customers. We are very grateful to everyone.”
Florida has proven to be an international destination for dining, Gwendal Pulenek, international director of the Michelin Guide, with its expansion into three new cities and five restaurants that were welcomed by the Michelin Star Family this year.
“Our anonymous inspector remains pleased with the Florida culinary community and we are celebrating all the chefs and restaurants that have been praised for this year’s selection.”
For a complete list of Michelin selections in Florida, visit guide.michelin.com/us/en/florida/restaurants.
Do you want to reach out to me? Find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram @Amydroo or the Osfoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com. Join Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook Group for more foodie fun.
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Original issue: April 17, 2025, 8:58pm EDT
