Is a Michelin Star Related to Tires?

The Michelin star has become the gold standard for restaurant ratings, with chefs and restaurateurs around the world striving to have their establishments recognized with one or more of these coveted awards. But while most people associate the Michelin star with fine dining, few know that the system was actually developed by a tire company: Michelin.

The French tire manufacturer began publishing its famous Michelin Guide in 1900. At first, the guide was simply intended to help travelers find restaurants and other services on their journeys. But in 1926, the company introduced a rating system — one to three stars — as a way of distinguishing establishments that provided superior culinary experiences.

Today, Michelin’s inspectors visit restaurants anonymously and assess them using a variety of criteria such as quality of ingredients, cooking techniques, presentation, service and atmosphere. The highest scorers are awarded one to three stars accordingly. A single star denotes “a very good restaurant” while three stars indicate “exceptional cuisine worth a special journey”.

So is a Michelin star related to tires?

Not directly; however, it is safe to say that without Michelin’s tire business there would be no Michelin Guide and hence no prestigious Michelin stars awarded. The tire company created this system as a way of promoting its brand and encouraging people to travel more — something which would undoubtedly have an impact on their sales.

In short: while there is no direct link between Michelin stars and tires, it is fair to say that without tires there would be no awards for excellence in fine dining.

Conclusion:

No, a Michelin Star is not directly related to tires; however, without the tire company’s business and their guidebook published in 1900 there would be no such prestigious award for excellence in fine dining today.