Where Did the Term Michelin Star Come From?

The Michelin Guide is an annual publication that ranks and reviews restaurants around the world. The guide is highly influential in the restaurant industry, and a restaurant’s inclusion in the guide can greatly affect its success. The most prestigious ranking within the guide is a Michelin star, which has become synonymous with excellence in food and dining.

The history of Michelin stars goes back to 1900 when Brothers Andre and Edouard Michelin founded the Michelin Tire Company. As part of their business strategy, they decided to produce a travel guide for French drivers that would include maps, descriptions of local attractions and other useful information. The first edition of this travel guide was released in 1900, and it quickly became popular with drivers across France.

For the second edition of the travel guide, Andre and Edouard decided to add restaurant reviews to provide drivers with more information about dining options along their routes. They assigned a one-star rating for restaurants that offered “very good food at moderate prices”; two stars for “excellent cooking, worth a detour”; three stars for “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey”; and finally, four stars for “the finest cuisine, worth a voyage”.

The star rating system has since become an international standard used by food critics all over the world. Restaurants that receive a Michelin star are considered amongst some of the best in their field, and they often attract more customers as a result.

Conclusion:

The term “Michelin star” originated from Andre and Edouard Michelin’s travel guidebook in 1900. It was originally used as an indicator of excellence in food and service at restaurants across France. Today it is still seen as an indicator of quality worldwide, with restaurants receiving one or more stars being considered amongst some of the best in their field.