Stary, STARRY NIGHT

At the 2025 Michelin Guide Ceremony in Dubai, Tr ésind Studio made history by becoming the first Indian restaurant in the world to earn three Michelin stars. Isha Mayer takes you behind the scenes

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There's a particular kind of electricity in the air when a city gathers to celebrate its culinary stars. In Dubai, that energy came to a head at the much-anticipated Michelin Guide ceremony, a moment of recognition not just for restaurants, but for a culture that has rapidly carved out its place on the global gastronomic map. Shortly after a soulful Emirati lunch at the Michelin Guide restaurant, Gerbou, I made my way to the much-anticipated Michelin Guide ceremony at Address Sky View in Dubai. The excitement was tangible. For two days, we'd been eating our way through some of the city's finest Michelin-star restaurants, wondering which ones would retain or elevate their stars. All the chefs who were invited were part nervous, part excited. Celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, the Michelin Guide is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious culinary authorities. Since its inception, Michelin has been rating restaurants anonymously through a three-star approach, in addition to introducing the Bib Gourmand, which highlights first-class, affordable dining options. As an Indian, I was rooting for Trésind Studio, helmed by Chef Himanshu Saini in Dubai, which already boasts two Michelin stars. I had dined there just two nights prior. The 18-course menu titled 'Rising India' was theatrical and unlike any Indian tasting menu I'd experienced. From a ghee-roast crab served in a burnt cinnamon stick to noodles made from king oyster mushrooms, and a dish prepared at our table, inspired by a traditional Kerala sadhya, each course paid tribute to the country's rich regional tapestry. W