What’s the Difference Between a Michelin Star and a Rosette?

Michelin stars and Rosettes are two of the most prestigious awards a chef or restaurant can receive. Both awards are highly sought after and indicate a high level of quality in the cuisine being served.

Although they share some similarities, there are distinct differences between them as well.

History

The Michelin Guide is a prestigious restaurant guide published by the French tyre company Michelin since 1900. The purpose of the guide is to promote fine dining and Michelin stars have become one of the most sought-after awards for chefs and restaurants around the world.

The stars are awarded based on factors such as quality of ingredients, skill in preparation and consistency. A single star indicates very good cuisine, two denotes excellent cuisine and three stars signify exceptional cuisine worth a special journey.

On the other hand, AA Rosettes have been used to rate restaurants since 1956. Unlike Michelin stars, which are awarded by a small panel of anonymous inspectors, AA Rosettes are awarded by AA Inspectors who visit restaurants regularly to assess their food quality. AA Rosettes signify levels of cooking achievement: one rosette for good cooking; two for very good; three for excellent; four for exceptional and five for outstanding cooking.

Cost

Michelin starred restaurants tend to be more expensive than those with Rosettes due to their high standards of excellence. It is not uncommon to find restaurants with one or two Michelin Stars charging several hundred pounds per person for dinner.

On the other hand, AA Rosette restaurants can be found at various price points depending on the level of award they hold. Generally speaking, restaurant with one or two rosettes will be more affordable than Michelin Starred establishments while still offering high-quality dishes.

Conclusion:

Both Michelin Stars and AA Rosettes signify excellence in cuisine but there are distinct differences between them which make them suitable for different occasions depending on your budget and expectations. Michelin Starred establishments offer superior dining experiences but at higher prices while AA Rosette restaurants provide excellent food at more affordable prices.