Houston, October 22, 2025
News Summary
Chef Dean Fearing, known for Fearing’s at the Ritz-Carlton in Dallas, missed Texas’ inaugural Michelin ceremony due to a misplaced invitation. While in Hawaii attending a food festival, he learned that his restaurant was recognized as one of 20 recommended spots in the Dallas-Fort Worth area by Michelin critics. Despite not attending the ceremony, this honor remains valid for one year and highlights the importance of checking spam folders for important communications.
Houston — Chef Dean Fearing missed Texas’ first Michelin ceremony after an invitation was misplaced, and while in Hawaii he received significant recognition from Michelin critics for his Dallas restaurant.
Key developments
The inaugural Michelin ceremony for Texas’ best restaurants took place in Houston, 2024. A glitzy ballroom was filled with top chefs from Dallas. Chef Dean Fearing, a prominent chef in Dallas-Fort Worth, did not receive an invitation to attend the ceremony. Fearing, who is the chef-owner of Fearing’s at the Ritz-Carlton in Dallas, flew to Hawaii instead, after believing he wasn’t invited.
How the recognition arrived
While Fearing was in Hawaii, Chef Roy Yamaguchi hosted a food festival in Hawaii and invited Fearing to attend. Michelin recognized Fearing as one of five notable chefs in Dallas prior to the ceremony. While in Hawaii, Fearing’s wife informed him that his restaurant, Fearing’s, was named one of 20 Recommended restaurants in the Dallas-Fort Worth area by Michelin. Although it wasn’t a Michelin star, it was still a significant recognition from Michelin critics.
Why the mix-up happened
Initially confused, Fearing discovered that his invitation had gone to his junk email folder. Despite not being able to attend the ceremony in person, the accolade remained valid. The honor from Michelin is valid for one year, until a new set of winners is announced on October 28, 2025.
Personal and industry response
Fearing wished to have a distraction while away, as he has built menus of Southwest cuisine for over 40 years. Fearing shared that the incident reminded chefs to check their spam folders for important communications. He jokingly mentioned feeling embarrassed about missing the invitation but enjoyed sitting on a beach in Hawaii.
What’s next for Michelin in Texas
The Michelin Guide Texas ceremony will repeat its award process on October 28, 2025, at the Wortham Theater Center in Houston. Results from the Michelin Guide will be published in real time by the Dallas Morning News.
Context and significance
This inaugural event marked Michelin’s formal recognition of Texas dining at a statewide level, with particular attention on Dallas and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Recognitions that are not stars—such as Recommended listings and curated notable-chef mentions—are used by Michelin critics to highlight quality and consistency across a region. The recognition for Fearing’s places the restaurant among a select group identified by Michelin critics in the area for the current award period.
Practical takeaways for chefs and restaurants
- Confirm contact details and regularly check spam or junk folders for invitations and official communications.
- Understand that Michelin recognitions can take multiple forms, including stars, recommendations, and critic lists; not all recognitions are Michelin stars.
- Recognitions from Michelin critics in the current cycle remain in effect until the next announcement date.
Details at a glance
- Event: The inaugural Michelin ceremony for Texas’ best restaurants
- Location of ceremony: Houston, 2024
- Chef affected: Chef Dean Fearing, chef-owner of Fearing’s at the Ritz-Carlton in Dallas
- Where he was: Hawaii, attending a food festival hosted by Chef Roy Yamaguchi
- Recognition: Fearing’s named one of 20 Recommended restaurants in the Dallas-Fort Worth area by Michelin
- Validity: The honor from Michelin is valid for one year, until a new set of winners is announced on October 28, 2025
- Next ceremony: The Michelin Guide Texas ceremony will repeat its award process on October 28, 2025, at the Wortham Theater Center in Houston
FAQ
Q: Where did the inaugural Michelin ceremony for Texas’ best restaurants take place?
A: The inaugural Michelin ceremony for Texas’ best restaurants took place in Houston, 2024.
Q: Was Chef Dean Fearing invited to the ceremony?
A: Chef Dean Fearing, a prominent chef in Dallas-Fort Worth, did not receive an invitation to attend the ceremony.
Q: Where was Chef Dean Fearing when the ceremony occurred?
A: Fearing, who is the chef-owner of Fearing’s at the Ritz-Carlton in Dallas, flew to Hawaii instead, after believing he wasn’t invited.
Q: How did Michelin recognize Chef Fearing?
A: Michelin recognized Fearing as one of five notable chefs in Dallas prior to the ceremony.
Q: What recognition did Fearing’s restaurant receive?
A: While in Hawaii, Fearing’s wife informed him that his restaurant, Fearing’s, was named one of 20 Recommended restaurants in the Dallas-Fort Worth area by Michelin.
Q: Was the recognition a Michelin star?
A: Although it wasn’t a Michelin star, it was still a significant recognition from Michelin critics.
Q: Why did Fearing miss the invitation?
A: Initially confused, Fearing discovered that his invitation had gone to his junk email folder.
Q: Is the accolade still valid despite his absence?
A: Despite not being able to attend the ceremony in person, the accolade remained valid.
Q: How long does the honor last?
A: The honor from Michelin is valid for one year, until a new set of winners is announced on October 28, 2025.
Q: What reminder did Fearing share with other chefs?
A: Fearing shared that the incident reminded chefs to check their spam folders for important communications.
Q: Where and when will the next Michelin Guide Texas ceremony take place?
A: The Michelin Guide Texas ceremony will repeat its award process on October 28, 2025, at the Wortham Theater Center in Houston.
Q: How will results be published?
A: Results from the Michelin Guide will be published in real time by the Dallas Morning News.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| The inaugural Michelin ceremony | The inaugural Michelin ceremony for Texas’ best restaurants took place in Houston, 2024. |
| Chef attendance issue | Chef Dean Fearing, a prominent chef in Dallas-Fort Worth, did not receive an invitation to attend the ceremony. |
| Where Chef Fearing was | Fearing, who is the chef-owner of Fearing’s at the Ritz-Carlton in Dallas, flew to Hawaii instead, after believing he wasn’t invited. |
| Recognition given | Fearing’s was named one of 20 Recommended restaurants in the Dallas-Fort Worth area by Michelin. |
| Recognition validity | The honor from Michelin is valid for one year, until a new set of winners is announced on October 28, 2025. |
| Next ceremony | The Michelin Guide Texas ceremony will repeat its award process on October 28, 2025, at the Wortham Theater Center in Houston. |
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Additional Resources
- Dallas News
- Wikipedia: Michelin Guide
- KHOU
- Google Search: Michelin Guide
- Culture Map Houston
- Google Scholar: Michelin stars Texas
- Houston Chronicle
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Michelin Guide
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
