What are Michelin stars?

Michelin stars are a highly prestigious rating system used to rate restaurants around the world. They are awarded by the French tire company Michelin, which started as a tire manufacturer but later diversified into various industries, including restaurant guides.

The origin of Michelin stars can be traced back to 1900, when the Michelin brothers, André and Édouard, published their first Michelin Guide. The guide was created to help motorists find good places to eat and stay while on the road. The Michelin Guide included maps, advice on car maintenance, and a list of recommended restaurants and hotels.

In 1926, the Michelin Guide introduced the rating system for restaurants, which was based on a system of one to three stars. One star meant "a very good restaurant," two stars meant "excellent cooking that is worth a detour," and three stars meant "exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey."

At the time, the Michelin Guide was the first and only restaurant guide in France, and its ratings quickly became highly respected and influential. Chefs and restaurant owners began to strive to achieve Michelin stars, which they saw as a mark of culinary excellence and prestige.

Over time, the Michelin Guide expanded to cover other countries, and Michelin stars became a global symbol of fine dining. Today, the Michelin Guide covers 24 countries and features over 30,000 restaurants, with a total of 632 restaurants currently holding three Michelin stars.

To earn a Michelin star, restaurants are anonymously reviewed by Michelin's team of inspectors, who evaluate the quality of the food, service, ambiance, and overall dining experience. The inspectors are trained professionals with extensive culinary knowledge and experience, and they visit each restaurant multiple times before making their final assessment.

Restaurants are not required to pay to be reviewed by Michelin, and the rating system is independent and unbiased. Michelin stars are awarded solely based on the quality of the restaurant, and restaurants cannot request or purchase Michelin stars.

Receiving a Michelin star is a great honor for any restaurant, as it is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and creativity of the chef and their team. However, Michelin stars can also be a double-edged sword, as they can put immense pressure on restaurants to maintain their high standards and can lead to intense scrutiny and criticism from both customers and competitors.