BERLIN, Nov 7 — Germany is enjoying a stellar year at Michelin, with the addition of a record 34 new starred restaurants in the 2015 edition of the red guide, including a fine dining restaurant at Europa Park, one of the biggest theme parks in Europe.

Germany’s star count has risen a dramatic 25 per cent from five years ago, for a total of 282 starred dining destinations — the biggest growth in the guide’s 52-year history.

Inducted into the two-star club are Brenners Park Restaurant in Baden Baden; EssZimmer at BMW Welt in Munich; and Ammolite, The Lighthouse Restaurant headed by chef Peter Rust and located at Europa Park in Rust, which became the first theme park restaurant to receive a star last year.

Europa Park is the second biggest theme park in Europe after Disneyland Paris.

Inspectors also gave 31 restaurants their first star in the 2015 guide.

The three-star club remains unchanged at 11 — the second highest number in Europe, after France.

Of this year’s results, Michelin’s international director Michael Ellis said: “Its lively cuisine is led by a new generation of extremely talented chefs who are open to ideas from around the world, who brilliantly execute innovative cooking techniques and who embody the future of German gastronomy, which is destined to shine for many years to come.”

Among the newly minted restaurants this year, six of them can thank triple Michelin-starred chef Harald Wohlfahrt of Schwarzwaldstube in Baiersbronn-Tonbach, for having mentored their chefs.

Wohlfahrt is the most starred chef in Germany.

Meanwhile, inspectors noted that the restaurant scene across Germany is evolving into a more relaxed, informal, no-frills atmosphere, and a bigger emphasis is being placed on quality, ethically sourced meats.

On the flip side, many restaurants are also beginning to offer full vegetarian menus, they added.

The 2015 Michelin guide Germany hits newsstands November 7 for €29.95 (RM124). — AFP-Relaxnews