The Michelin Star has been a symbol of culinary excellence for over a century. It is the highest accolade that can be bestowed upon a restaurant and has become synonymous with fine dining. But what does it have to do with tires?
The connection between the Michelin Star and tires may not be immediately obvious, but it dates back to 1900 when two brothers, Édouard and André Michelin, founded the Michelin Tire Company in Clermont-Ferrand, France. The brothers had an interest in encouraging motorists to travel longer distances and so they began producing guidebooks with maps, hotels, petrol stations and other helpful information for drivers. In 1926 they introduced their first ‘Guide Rouge’ or Red Guide which contained reviews of French restaurants.
These reviews were written by anonymous inspectors who traveled around France anonymously rating restaurants on things such as quality of food, service and atmosphere. The reviews were then published in the Guide Rouge with one star being the lowest rating and three stars being the highest accolade. This system was so successful that it was adopted by other countries across Europe.
The connection between Michelin Stars and tires comes from the fact that the Michelin Brothers wanted to promote their tire company through the Guide Rouge. The symbol for a Michelin Star is a tire with an inner tube forming a star shape which is meant to represent how tires are essential for mobility as well as comfort. This clever marketing ploy has helped make Michelin Stars one of the most recognizable symbols of excellence in cuisine.
Conclusion:
The Michelin Star is a prestigious award that recognizes excellence in cuisine but its connection to tires may not be immediately apparent. The two were linked together by Édouard and André Michelin when they founded their tire company in 1900 and began producing guidebooks with restaurant ratings in 1926. Their clever marketing ploy of using a tire with an inner tube forming a star shape to represent their brand has helped make Michelin Stars one of the most recognizable symbols of excellence in cuisine today.