Veko Tsukhishvili and Irka Kelekhsashvili became the first women chefs from Georgia whose work has received official recognition from the most prestigious restaurant guide in the world — MICHELIN.
Irka Kelekhsashvili served as brand chef and author of the restaurant's culinary concept. She brought her experience and a modern vision of Georgian traditions to the capital of Latvia with the participation of the catering team SALT.O.
In an interview with the publication bm.ge, Kelekhsashvili emphasized that the secret of success lies in refusing to adapt and simplify national dishes to suit the tastes of foreign audiences.
"Georgian cuisine is rich in regional diversity, unique products, cooking techniques, flavors, and a culture of hospitality. Today our task is not only to preserve these traditions but also to present them in a contemporary form. In my view, the international success of Georgian cuisine should not mean its simplification or adjustment to the tastes of foreign guests. On the contrary, it is important to preserve authenticity while finding modern forms of expression. It was this principle that guided me in creating the culinary concept of the Sakhli restaurant. My goal was to combine Georgian flavors and traditions with a contemporary restaurant format, so as to introduce guests not only to the dishes but also to Georgian culture and hospitality."
According to her, getting into the Michelin guide two months after the launch is a huge step for the international recognition of all Georgian gastronomy, but the main challenge now is to maintain the set standard of quality every day.
"SAKHLI is a restaurant that immediately wins you over. There is a warm and welcoming atmosphere here, largely thanks to the attentive staff who strive to make guests' stay as pleasant as possible. Those who are encountering Georgian cuisine for the first time should not worry: the staff will gladly help them navigate the extensive menu of traditional dishes — from khinkali to kholio, a dessert of boiled wheat with honey," says the Michelin press release.
The selection of the MICHELIN Guide Latvia 2027 was the fourth for the country. Following the year's work of the inspectors, 35 restaurants made the list: two restaurants were awarded one Michelin star, seven received the Bib Gourmand status for good-quality cooking at affordable prices, and another 26 were included in the main recommended selection.
This year the guide added 12 new establishments, ten of which joined the main selection. Among the newcomers is Sakhli.
Inclusion in the main selection means a Michelin recommendation, but not the award of a star. The separate award to Veko Tsukhishvili, "Discovery of the Year," is one of the guide's special professional distinctions.