What Is the Difference Between a Michelin Star and a Hat?

The Michelin Star and the Hat are two of the most coveted awards for restaurants around the world. Both awards are considered to be a seal of approval from critics, and both signify a restaurant’s commitment to excellence in cuisine. But what is the difference between a Michelin Star and a Hat?

Michelin Stars are awarded by the renowned Michelin Guide, which has been reviewing restaurants since 1900. The guide uses anonymous reviewers, who visit restaurants across the globe, assessing a range of criteria such as quality of ingredients, technique, personality and value for money.

Restaurants that meet their high standards are awarded one to three stars. One star signifies an ‘excellent restaurant in its category’, two stars denotes ‘excellent cuisine and worth a detour’ and three stars indicate ‘exceptional cuisine and worth a special journey’.

The Australian Good Food Guide Hats system is slightly different. Established in 1977, it is Australia’s longest running restaurant guide.

The guide ranks restaurants on a scale from one to three hats with one hat being ‘good’, two hats being ‘very good’ and three hats signifying ‘the best of the best’. The reviews focus on quality of food as well as service and ambiance.

In Summary

The main difference between Michelin Stars and Hats is where they come from – Michelin Stars are awarded by the prestigious Michelin Guide whilst Hats are awarded by The Australian Good Food Guide. Both awards signify excellence in cuisine but have slightly different criteria for awarding them.

Conclusion

Achieving either a Michelin Star or Hat is considered an incredible feat for any restaurant, as they both demonstrate skill, commitment to excellence and recognition from leading industry experts. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference when choosing between them.