Michelin-Star Soseki Omakase Leads Winter Park’s Fine Dining Scene
In 2022, Winter Park native and culinary visionary Michael Collantes achieved a historic milestone by earning the city's first Michelin Guide star for his intimate 10-seat restaurant, Soseki Omakase. This accolade not only elevated Winter Park's dining scene but also underscored Collantes's dedication to culinary excellence.
Reflecting on the significance of the Michelin recognition, Collantes remarked, "(The annual Michelin Guide Florida) ceremony is our Oscar/Grammy night for chefs and restaurateurs. I always say, I didn't win the award. It's a collective of people. We have an amazing team, and everyone cares so much about their craft."
Learning From A Michelin Star Legend
Collantes's journey to this pinnacle is rooted in his diverse culinary experiences across the country. His tenure in Las Vegas at Joël Robuchon (who earned 32 Michelin stars during his career, the most of any chef) instilled a foundation of high-level service and expectations, while his collaboration with Jennifer Carroll at 10 Arts in Philadelphia honed his leadership and creativity. "Jen taught me to be creative. She let me lead her team, and I traveled with her for many years," Collantes shared.
The omakase experience at Soseki, meaning "chef's choice," offers diners a curated multicourse journey crafted by master sushi chefs. Collantes emphasizes the importance of community and local sourcing, stating, "Any given night we get to showcase six to eight local purveyors, gardeners, designers, artisans, cheesemakers. That's really where the story lies."
Collantes' Culinary Empire
Beyond Soseki Omakase, Collantes expanded his empire with Bar Kada, a sake lounge offering curated bites and sake classes, and Sushi Saint, a hand-rolled sushi lounge in downtown Orlando.
Betsy Gardner, President and CEO of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, lauded Soseki's achievement, noting, "Soseki's Michelin star is proof that Winter Park's dining scene is on fire. Having world-class restaurants in our small town is the best of both worlds." Watch an interview with Collantes by Gardner on YouTube here.
Casandra Matej, President and CEO of Visit Orlando, echoed this sentiment, stating, "Michelin's recognition confirms what we have known all along – that Orlando has an exceptional culinary community."
