This is a question that has been asked by many aspiring chefs, restaurant owners and foodies alike.
The answer to this question may surprise you. A Michelin star is not something that can be purchased, it is an award that is given out by Michelin Guide inspectors after they have tasted a meal served at the restaurant and found it to be of outstanding quality.
Michelin Guide inspectors are anonymous; they visit restaurants without any prior announcement or knowledge of their identity. They judge the quality of the food served, its presentation, atmosphere and service.
All aspects of the experience are taken into account when determining whether or not a restaurant should receive a star.
It is important to note that money does not guarantee a Michelin star. Many chefs and restaurateurs believe that money talks when it comes to food awards, but this simply isn’t true in the case of Michelin stars. The team of inspectors are trained and expertly qualified to make an unbiased decision about whether or not a restaurant deserves one, two or three stars.
In order for restaurants to even be considered for a Michelin star they need to meet certain criteria. This includes having high quality ingredients and dishes, excellent service as well as an overall pleasant atmosphere that contributes towards creating an enjoyable dining experience for customers.
Having said this, some restaurants do invest more money than others in order to ensure they meet these criteria in order to receive top marks from inspectors – such as paying for better ingredients/products, higher end furniture and staff training. However, there are plenty of establishments who still manage to get stars without having spent too much money.
To conclude, while there is certainly no guarantee that spending more money will lead directly to obtaining a Michelin Star – investing in quality ingredients and providing excellent customer service are essential components if you wish your restaurant to be recognised by the prestigious guidebook.