In 2020, Jiro Ono, the legendary sushi chef, lost one of the three Michelin stars that his restaurant had held since 2013. This news came as a shock to those who admire and appreciate Ono’s world-renowned sushi. After all, Jiro has been revered as a master of his craft since opening his restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro in 1965.
So why did Jiro lose a Michelin star?
First and foremost, the Michelin Guide has very strict standards when it comes to awarding stars. It takes into account many different criteria such as cleanliness, service, and presentation of food.
It is very difficult for any restaurant to maintain the same level of excellence consistently over time. The standards of the Michelin Guide are constantly evolving and changing with the times; thus it is possible that Sukiyabashi Jiro may have fallen out of step in some way or another.
Furthermore, despite being known for its exquisite sushi dishes, Sukiyabashi Jiro does not offer much variety in its menu options compared to other establishments that have retained their three Michelin stars. The restaurant does not offer any appetizers or desserts, and there are only two set menus: an omakase (chef’s choice) course and an a la carte course. Thus, it may be argued that the lack of variety in its menu offerings could have contributed to the loss of a star.
Finally, it should be noted that Sukiyabashi Jiro is an extremely exclusive establishment due to its limited seating capacity and high prices. A meal at Sukiyabashi Jiro can cost up to US$400 per person – more than double what other three-starred restaurants charge – making it inaccessible to many people who would like to experience true sushi artistry firsthand. This could have potentially played into the decision by Michelin inspectors to downgrade its rating from three stars to two—as exclusivity does not necessarily equate with quality dining experiences for everyone involved.
Ultimately, there is no definitive answer as to why Jiro Ono lost one of his Michelin stars—it could be due to any number of reasons outlined above or something else entirely. Nevertheless, this does not take away from the fact that he remains one of the greatest sushi chefs in history – something which no amount of stars can take away from him!
Conclusion: In conclusion, while there is no single definitive answer as to why Jiro Ono lost one of his three Michelin stars in 2020, it could be argued that factors such as strict standards set by the Michelin Guide coupled with limited menu options and high prices could have potentially played into their decision to downgrade his rating from three stars to two.