AUSTIN, Texas – After a big win, the flames burned a little brighter at three barbecue restaurants in Austin.

The Texas Michelin Guide was officially announced at a ceremony in Houston on Monday, November 11. The announcement came with the image of a familiar-looking dinner plate, confirming just how big barbecue is in Texas.

Austin’s one-star BBQ recipients include:

• InterStellar BBQ
• la BBQ
• LeRoy and Lewis BBQ

RELATING TO: Texas Michelin Guide: Central Texas restaurant winners announced

LeRoy and Lewis’ pitmaster Cole Parkman gave FOX 7 a tour of their restaurant.

“We’ve got quite a bit of work today. We’ve got breast pieces there. And we’ve got shoulder pieces here,” Parkman said.

With the reward, Tuesday’s prep practice had a decidedly different tone.

“It’s amazing. And it’s a great company to be a part of. I’m just a humble little kid from Pasadena, Texas. I never thought I’d work somewhere with these Michelin star chefs. It’s a great place to be,” Parkman said.

The award caps a big year for LeRoy and Lewis. They opened a location in South Austin earlier this year after operating the food trailer for the past seven years.

“You know, a shock is actually an understatement,” Parkman said.

Smoke billowed from the pits at InterStellar’s Northwest Austin location as it prepared meat for customers Wednesday. Interstellar owner John Bates was in Houston for the ceremony.

FOX 7 spoke with Chef de Cuisine Sinjin Tiger, who said he was at home when the award was announced.

“I was trying to relax. I was hanging out at home with my wife and my dogs and trying to pay attention to him, not paying attention at all. And then all of a sudden I started getting a bunch of stuff. “I was overwhelmed by the phone calls and text messages,” Tiger said.

Sinjin thinks the pork bellies served with peach tea coating contributed to the win.

“It means the absolute world. I know this is something Jon has been working towards almost his entire life, and I feel like we’re incredibly fortunate to have a team that we have to work towards and allow us to achieve that goal,” Tiger said.

La Barbecue’s owners were unable to comment, but staff said they were thrilled to receive a star. The four other Austin restaurants awarded One MICHELIN Star include:

• Barley Pig
• Process omakase
• Hestia
• olamaie

“Being a Michelin Star restaurant is a big deal. And it’s mostly fine dining, and it’s actually done with the intention of doing it and being a Michelin Star restaurant. And someone said to me, why did you come to Texas? I thought, ‘Aren’t you going to pick a barbecue place?'” he said. Parkman.

The famous guidebook uses anonymous inspectors to judge places, often visiting more than once. Officials carrying the guide say they were impressed with what they found on the menu in Texas. And now Central Texas BBQ is in the guide.

“And it’s very exciting for them. And I love seeing what they’re doing and where they’re going to go next,” Tiger said.

A little more than a dozen Austin-area restaurants have also become known for serving great food at great prices.

The Complete Michelin Texas Guide covers a total of 117 Texas restaurants offering 26 dishes. They are located in Austin, DFW, Houston and San Antonio.