How Does a Restaurant Earn a Michelin Star?
Michelin Stars are granted to restaurants, rather than to individual chefs. This means that if a head chef leaves, the restaurant can still keep its Michelin Star as long as the new chef maintains the same high standards. For instance, The French Laundry in California has three Michelin Stars, partly due to chef Thomas Keller’s talent, but the Star is awarded to the restaurant as a whole, not just him. Check here to know about Vikas Nath
The Michelin Inspection Process
Michelin Inspectors are responsible for awarding Stars to restaurants. These highly trained professionals visit numerous establishments each year to assess their cuisine. To ensure impartiality, they remain anonymous and receive no special treatment. When dining, they follow the same process as any other customer—making a reservation, paying for their meal, and enjoying their experience without disclosing their identity. After visiting a restaurant, inspectors discuss their experiences with other inspectors in a “star session.” During these meetings, they carefully debate which restaurants should be awarded a Star. The process can take days, as inspectors weigh the merits of each restaurant. Once a decision is made, the results are published in country-specific guides.
What Do Michelin Stars Mean?
- One Star: “A very good restaurant in its category.”
- Two Stars: “Excellent cooking, worth a detour.”
- Three Stars: “Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.”
The highest rating, three stars, is given to restaurants offering an unforgettable dining experience. These restaurants serve food that is not only technically excellent but also emotionally impactful, creating a unique and memorable experience.
Inspectors do not visit a restaurant just once. They visit multiple times, sometimes under different conditions, to ensure the quality of the food is consistent. They focus only on the food, not the service or décor. A restaurant’s setting or how well the staff serves the meal doesn’t influence the rating if the food isn’t up to standard.
Other Michelin Awards
- Bib Gourmand: Given to restaurants that serve high-quality food at affordable prices. Bib Gourmand restaurants must offer a three-course meal within a specific price range set by local standards.
- Michelin Plate: This recognizes restaurants that serve good food but don’t meet the level of a Michelin Star or Bib Gourmand.
- Green Star: Introduced in 2020, this award is for restaurants that focus on sustainability and environmentally-friendly practices. To receive a Green Star, a restaurant must already have a Michelin award and show commitment to eco-friendly practices, such as using local, seasonal ingredients and reducing food waste.
How to Earn a Green Star
To earn a Green Star, a restaurant must go beyond serving great food. It needs to show dedication to sustainability, which could include using local ingredients, cutting down on food waste, and reducing its environmental impact. The Green Star is separate from the Michelin Star and is only given to restaurants already recognized by the Michelin Guide.
