If you’re a foodie or love to eat out and travel often, you have probably come across the term Michelin Star already. Restaurants who have earned a star or two usually use it in their marketing and advertising schemes and have it mentioned somewhere right outside the door of the establishment. What is a Michelin Star and how did it become a worldwide term associated with exceptional food and culinary artistry? Let us take a look at how the Michelin Star came to be and how it is acquired.
What is a Michelin Star?
It is an award given to a restaurant which symbolizes that it is the best within a city. It marks culinary excellence and quality. It is difficult to attain but not impossible. Restaurants strive for this award because it is prestigious and helps increase the exposure of not only the restaurant but also the food and the chefs. Once a star is gained it can also be lost. The food is reviewed multiple times before gaining and before losing its star. Consistency or lack thereof plays a big role in both the journey of gaining and losing stars.
Who founded it?
It all started in 1889 in a small French town called Clermont-Ferrand. Brothers Andre and Edouard Michelin started their tire company that is still very much alive and well to the present day. Although there weren’t many cars during their time it did not stop them from creating a guide for travelers. This guide was filled with information including maps, where to fuel up, mechanics, as well as instructions on how to change a tire. The guide was meant to encourage people to explore with their cars which would then maybe help the automobile industry grow.
