Does Any Indian Restaurant Has a Michelin Star?
The Michelin Guide is an annual guidebook, first published in 1900 by the French tyre manufacturer Michelin, to provide information on hotels, restaurants and other tourist destinations. It is widely regarded as the world’s most prestigious restaurant guide and is often referred to as the “Oscars of the culinary world”. With its coveted stars, it sets the standard for fine dining around the globe.
The Guide has become so influential that earning a star can make or break a restaurant’s success. The highest award is three stars, awarded to fewer than 20 restaurants in all of France. But India has yet to see a single Michelin star awarded to any of its restaurants.
So why hasn’t India been able to break into this elite club? One reason may be that Indian cuisine is still relatively unknown in many parts of the world, including France where Michelin is based.
In addition, Indian food tends to be more complex than other cuisines due to its use of spices and herbs, which could be intimidating for some chefs who are not used to such flavor combinations. Also, due to its wide variety of vegetarian dishes and religious restrictions on certain ingredients like pork and beef, Indian food may not be seen as “gourmet” enough for Michelin standards.
However, there has been some progress made in recent years with several Indian restaurants making it onto international lists such as San Francisco’s Zagat Survey and New York City’s Eater 38 list. This suggests that while there are still barriers to entry for India into the Michelin club, they are slowly being broken down one dish at a time.
It may take some time before an Indian restaurant earns a coveted Michelin star but it has become clear that this goal is within reach. As more people become exposed to the unique flavors of Indian cuisine, it seems only a matter of time before one of India’s finest establishments earns its place at this highest level of culinary recognition.
In conclusion, despite the challenges faced by Indian restaurants due their unique cuisines and flavors, there have been some encouraging signs in recent years with several establishments making it onto international lists such as San Francisco’s Zagat Survey and New York City’s Eater 38 list. While it may take some time before an Indian restaurant earns a Michelin star it does seem possible that one day soon an establishment from India will join this elite club of culinary excellence.