The MOEA plans to form a team of critics comprised of hotel and restaurant chefs in order to review establishments that are to be included in the guide.

There are also plans of having consumers themselves submit online reviews as well as inviting international critics to contribute to the guide. “This year, the restaurant industry will become a major priority in industry development,” MOEA Vice Minister Shih Yen-shiang told a local newspaper.

After the completion of the restaurant guide, not only will the country’s residents be able to make better choices when considering where to eat, but Taiwanese delicacies will also be known internationally, said the MOEA.

“We hope to help the restaurant industry in promoting our unique Taiwanese cuisine to the global market,” Shih added.

Shih also cited Thailand’s successful example of making their food industry a top priority which has led to the popularity of Thai cuisine. “In Taiwan alone we have noticed an influx of Thai restaurants this past year,” added Shih.

Businesses are already recognizing the potential benefits of the ministry’s plan.

Huang Yung-chi, assistant manager of food and beverage at The Grand Hotel in Taipei City, said that a restaurant guide like the world-renowned Michelin Guide has helped the restaurant industry tremendously in Europe, since it is in this region of the world that their guide focuses. “Taiwan also has several famous hotels and restaurants, so a similar guide for Taiwan would not only attract tourists but also raise the standard of restaurants in the country,” Huang said.

However, Huang disagrees with the government’s plan to also consider reviews by the public, citing that all reviews must be fair and not be sidetracked by favoritism, in line with Michelin’s use of anonymous inspectors who pay for their own meals and receive no special treatment. The Michelin Guides are one of the most authoritative hotel and restaurant guides in the world, and feature mostly European destinations such as Italy, Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

Only about 50 restaurants in Europe each year receive Michelin’s top 3-star rating.

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