Would you believe that in the world of European Michelin stars, Germany is now second on the list to France? Amazing but true. The world of fine dining in Germany has grown, such that 9 of its restaurants now hold the sought-after 3 Michelin stars.

Unadventurous cooking
Catching up with the French, who currently have 28 3-starred restaurants, has been a long time coming for the Germans, who have always held the stereotype among other Europeans as being a little un-adventurous when it comes to their kitchens. According to Juan Amador, owner of the Amador restaurant which has recently been awarded its third star, this about-turn in German cuisine has been quite a recent event.

"Germany's eating behavior has changed radically in the last 10 years. We are creating a new eating culture that simply did not exist before."

Italian outrage
Understandably there are contenders to the Best in Europe crown that are none too pleased at Germany being the new favourite. Italy has long considered its cuisine as some of the best in Europe as they believe excellent food to be inherent in their culture.

Rumours abound in Italy that the French guide was operating under foul-play and that it was making a publicity stunt by crowning the Germans second, although it sounds a lot like 'sour grapes' from some fuming Italian chefs.

Poor getting unhealthy
In Germany however, it isn't the masses that are riding the waves of gastronomic change. The upper-echelons of society are the ones enjoying better dining, due to the gap in income inequality that has widened in recent years.

By contrast, the lower classes are turning more towards convenience and fast-food in an ever growing "American" culture, which has had dire consequences on the health of the nation.

Type-2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity are just a few of the diet-affected maladies brought on by the prevalent junk-food culture.

Gunther Hirschfelder, a cultural anthropologist at the University of Bonn views this American food revolution with distaste and says, "Everything that happens in the United States happens here, just 10 years later."

Three new restaurants were awarded three-star ratings in the new Michelin Guide for Germany, published in November 2007. Those were Amador, Restaurant Bareiss, a French-influenced restaurant located in the Black Forest, and GästeHaus Erfort in Saarbrücken, which serves up traditional German fayre.