Question: What is a Michelin star?

• damon

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  I spent this weekend looking over some restaurant review websites, and there’s one term that keeps popping up here and there: Michelin star.

  What exactly is it? I’ve heard it used before, but don’t really know or understand what it means. From a quick Google search, I’m assuming it is something good, but what’s the story behind these stars? How does this system work?

  potterfan

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  You’re right about it being good! Michelin star is one of the commonly used way of rating restaurants. It is from the Michelin Guide that was created by the Michelin brothers.

  You must have heard of the Michelin tyre, right? Well, here’s an interesting piece of trivia for you. That very same Michelin tyre company (or Michelin), which has a famous mascot, the Michelin Man, was founded by the Michelin brothers. They are behind this restaurant rating system.

  The guide rates restaurants on its quality. These listings are updated yearly, I believe. Even if you get one star, it is a very good achievement for that restaurant.

  StormChaser

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  If a restaurant is awarded one Michelin star, it’s considered a very good restaurant. If it receives two stars, it means it’s worth a detour because of its excellent cuisine and skilfully crafted dishes. Three stars means it is a restaurant worth making a special journey for.

  damon

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  How high do the stars go? Can you get a restaurant with five Michelin stars? How about ten stars?

  StormChaser

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  Ten stars!? That’s a lot of stars, hahaha! I don’t think the system goes that high. I’m not 100% sure, but I think the highest number of Michelin stars might be three. Can anyone confirm?

  potterfan

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  Yeah, I think three stars is the maximum number of stars. I’ve never heard of any restaurants with four or five Michelin stars, but I could be wrong…

  chessmaster

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  Here’s an interesting fact! A restaurant can receive Michelin stars, which is a prestigious thing, but so can chefs. If a restaurant earns a Michelin star, that restaurant can expect more business and more media coverage.

  One of my favourite Italian restaurants in Toronto is Don Alfonso 1890. Now this place has 2 Michelin stars. The food is excellent, the service is excellent, the ambiance is, well, excellent!

  So, if a restaurant receives a Michelin star, it is quite an honour and you can bet that there is something good about the place.

  barcelona

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  While earning a Michelin star is indeed a good thing, most people don’t know that Michelin operates in certain areas. That means that if your restaurant is not in that particular area, no matter how unbelievably fantastic you are, you will never get one.

  If the Michelin guide does not cover a region, there’s not much you can do about it. It does not mean that you have a bad restaurant. I think this can cause a bit of confusion or a misconception among patrons.

  Mulan

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  I also remember reading something about the Michelin star award being biased towards French restaurants. I don’t know how true that is.

  However, that article did say that the guide was making changes in order to be more open and keep up with the times. The bottom line is, if your restaurant receives even one star, it is a really good thing. More than that, it’s fantastic!