The Michelin star is the pinnacle of food accolades. It’s a symbol of excellence that restaurants around the world strive for, and it’s one of the most coveted awards in the culinary world. But just how does the Michelin star work?
The Michelin Guide is a series of anonymous restaurant reviews published by the French tire manufacturer, Michelin. The guide has been in circulation since 1900 and is now one of the most prestigious gourmet publications in the world. The guide rates restaurants on a scale from one to three stars, with one being “good cooking”, two being “excellent cooking”, and three being “exceptional cuisine” worth a special journey.
In order to receive a star rating, an establishment must be visited by at least two anonymous inspectors who use an extensive checklist to rate each restaurant on its food quality, cleanliness, service, presentation, atmosphere and value for money. Each inspector then submits their ratings to Michelin’s head office where they are tallied up and verified before being published.
Michelin inspectors are highly trained professionals who have extensive knowledge of gastronomy and all aspects of running successful restaurants. They are tasked with rating restaurants objectively based on their own personal experiences rather than relying on reviews from others.
Michelin stars are awarded once a year by an international jury made up of industry experts who assess all restaurants rated by Michelin inspectors. This jury meets annually to review all submissions and decide which establishments deserve to be awarded stars.
Conclusion:
The process for awarding Michelin stars is complex but ultimately rewarding for those establishments that meet the high standards set out by Michelin inspectors. Restaurants must go through multiple inspections before they can be considered for a star rating and only those that have truly excelled in all aspects will make it onto the list.