The Michelin Guide will not announce the stars of California restaurants this year due to the devastating impact of wildfires and the epidemic on the industry.

Many restaurants in California, such as Restaurant at Meadowood, a 3-Michelin-starred restaurant that burned down during the California fire, and The Bazaar in Los Angeles, which José Andrés permanently closed due to the pandemic, are going through a very difficult process. After receiving feedback from restaurants severely affected by COVID-19 and forest fires in the state, the Michelin Guide decided last week to hit the pause on its rating system in the Golden State for this year. “We know the restaurant industry still faces enormous challenges in getting back on its feet,” Gwendal Poullennec, international director of Michelin, said.

According to the news in The San Francisco Chronicle, instead of the California Guide and Bib Gourmands awards, Michelin will be hosting a Virtual Family Meal on 27 October at which over 20 restaurants will be celebrated by Michelin for the first time. According to Eater, Michelin will also host online fundraiser to benefit the California Association of Food Banks and will introduce the first sustainability distinction in the US.