The full story
The Michelin Guide revealed its first restaurant recommendations and awarded its first stars to restaurants across the state. The Texas guide was revealed during a ceremony held Nov. 11 in Houston. Harvest, located in downtown McKinney, was included as a recommendation in the guide.
More than 115 restaurants were recognized in 2024, including 15 across the state that received one star from the Michelin Guide. Texas is the 11th state in the U.S. to be added to the Michelin Guide’s list of destinations in North America.
“I think it’s great for them to come to Texas,” Harvest Owner Rick Wells said. “I think it continues to just show that our cuisine and our restaurants are slowly but surely starting to take it up to the point where Michelin is coming and reviewing our restaurants and the state.”
Wells said it was an honor for the restaurant to be recognized in a publication that sets the bar from a culinary standpoint. The recognition will continue to drive its staff as they reach for new goals, he said.
“This really pushes us to continue to get better at what we did,” he said. “For me, that’s what this signifies.”
The backstory
Harvest first opened in 2014 at 112 E. Louisiana St. in downtown McKinney. The restaurant later relocated to North Kentucky Street in 2023.
Since 2014, the restaurant has built a network of local farmers, ranchers, artists and artisans that it can source from, according to its website. General Manager Sanam Zahir said the recognition also belongs to those that the restaurant works with.
“It’s a mark of approval on everybody’s work and it’s a good pat on the back,” Zahir said. “You’re on the right path. Keep doing what you’re doing. You’re doing it right.”
More details
Wells, Zahir and Executive Chef Andrea Shackelford attended the ceremony in Houston. Shackelford said it felt surreal to be in a room among so many amazing chefs.
“It was an absolutely amazing feeling,” she said. “I didn’t really hit you until after because before it was nauseating. We didn’t know what to expect.”
Shackelford highlighted McKinney’s part in receiving the recognition. She also pointed out that the recognition was great for McKinney and it will bring even more attention to the community.
“The community itself fuels us to be great,” she said. “I think it’s great to just give back to McKinney as well in that sense.”
- 215 N. Kentucky St., McKinney
- www.harvesttx.com