By Laine Clark

The stars are set to align for a state’s finest eateries when a landmark Michelin Guide is unveiled.

South Australia will become the first in the country to receive its own edition, revealing the nation’s inaugural Michelin Stars – one of international cuisine’s highest honours.

Michelin Guide South Australia 2027 will be launched on Wednesday night, ending a nervous wait for venues after covert inspections across the state.

“This is a historic occasion for our state and our country, as we become home to the first and only Michelin restaurants in Australia,” SA Tourism Minister Emily Bourke said.

The Michelin Guide has been considered the fine-dining benchmark for more than a century; however, it only expanded into the Americas and Asia in the early 2000s.

It had looked at launching a guide Down Under back in 2016 but talks with Tourism Australia fell through.

It has finally marked its first foray into Australia after the SA government broke out on its own to foot the bill.

The Malinauskas government has not revealed the cost, saying it was confidential for commercial reasons.

But it is reportedly similar to the $NZ8 million ($6.45 million) the New Zealand government paid over three years to lure the guide this year.

Bookings went through the roof for Kiwi eateries featured in what was Oceania’s first Michelin Guide after 16 stars across 15 restaurants were handed out in June.

The SA government is confident its edition of the world-famous guide will have the same impact.

“As seen in other destinations, following recognition in the Michelin Guide, foodies from across the world flock to check out the hottest culinary destination,” Ms Bourke said.

While the SA government paid for Michelin to cover its state, inspectors decided which eateries to visit.

“The selection process is entirely independent, and restaurants cannot pay to be included or awarded distinctions,” the SA government said in a statement.

From Thursday, venues featured in the SA edition will display globally recognised Michelin Guide plaques following the mysterious selection process.

Anonymous inspectors covertly visited SA venues across the state, reportedly using fake names and arriving unannounced as they compiled the inaugural guide.

There are no guarantees a visited venue will receive guide recognition, including the most famous culinary distinction – a Michelin Star.

The most a venue can receive is three Michelin Stars; however, they are rarely awarded.

Only 161 eateries worldwide boast three, while 549 feature two.

Michelin Stars have been awarded to a wide range of eateries from street food stalls to gourmet restaurants.

Chefs from SA restaurants that receive stars will receive a special Michelin jacket.

The SA guide will also feature Bib Gourmand and Michelin Selected distinctions for venues that show high quality and value, along with awards for young chefs, service, and sommeliers.

The first Michelin Guide was published in France in 1900 by André and Édouard Michelin as a driving guide to places to stay in a bid to boost their tyre company.

Industry leaders, chefs and restaurateurs will gather at Adelaide Convention Centre for the Michelin Guide SA 2027 reveal from 7pm AEDT on Wednesday.

News all day, every day at CityNews.com.au.