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Australian Man Is Campaigning To Get A Michelin Star For His KFC

Australian Man Is Campaigning To Get A Michelin Star For His KFC

Sam Edelman claims to own 'the most remote KFC in the world' and he's trying to bag a Michelin star - so many bragging rights

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

Everyone loves a Zinger burger, but KFC isn't really the sort of place you first imagine when it comes to high class dining. Well, try telling that to Sam Edelman, who's campaigning to get his KFC a Michelin star. Fair play to him.

I mean, when we think of Michelin star restaurants, the first thing that comes to mind is tiny portions in the middle of the plate, funky sauces swirled around the sides and four-leafed clovers plonked on top 'for decoration'. But who's to say that couldn't be extended to include fried chicken?

KFC franchise owner Sam, who has worked for the fast food giant for the last 20 years, says that his restaurant, which is based in Alice Springs, Australia, is 'the most remote KFC in the world'.

People travel for thousands of miles to have the chicken at Sam's specific branch and he is now asking everyone who visits to get behind his chicken-based crusade.

And one way to do that is to follow the Facebook group that he's started - Kentucky Fried Chicken deserves a Michelin Star...

Red marks the hopefully-soon-to-be Michelin Starred KFC.
Google Maps

The Michelin Guide doesn't currently publish in Australia but that doesn't put off our intrepid hero. In fact, it only spurs him on to make sure his gaff is the country's first to be recognised by the fine dining guide.

Taking to Facebook, Sam said: "So Michelin haven't replied to my email, it looks like that's failed. So I jumped on Facebook and asked them, 'What does it take for me to get a Michelin star?'

"They got back to me surprisingly quickly and they've told me that they're not in Australia yet but they hope to be some day. Maybe we can be the first one..."

Leaflets in the KFC branch owned by Sam.
9News

Speaking to the Today programme, the 37-year-old said: "We have customers here in Alice Springs that come from 500 or 1,000 kilometres away to get a couple of buckets of chicken.

"We have excellent cooking so I kind of thought, 'Why can't we be recognised?' And at the same time it's a little bit cheeky as well.

"I know that my Kentucky Fried Chicken is worth a special journey which is three stars but do you know what, if I get one star I will be very happy."

Sam's KFC branch in Alice Springs.
9News

There are specific requirements to the process of bagging a Michelin star. To earn one star, your restaurant must be deemed 'a very good restaurant in its category'.

For two, the criteria is 'excellent cooking, worth a detour'. We think 1,000 kilometres is a bit more than a detour, right?

To qualify for three stars, the restaurant must serve 'exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey' - that's more like it.

Good luck, Sam and the rest of the team.

Featured Image Credit: 9News

Topics: Food, News, KFC, Australia