Michelin Guide UK 2023: Commonly asked questions - What is a Michelin Star? Can any restaurant qualify? What do Michelin Inspectors order?

With the Michelin Guide UK 2023 set to launch later this month, The Michelin Guide has answered some of the most commonly asked questions about the process, the stars and the decisions made by its Michelin Guide Inspectors.

An article on the Michelin Guide website has proivded the ultimate list of answers to some of the most common asked questions about Michelin, Michelin Stars and the secretive world of Michelin inspectors.

What is a Michelin Star?

The article explains that a Michelin Star is awarded to restaurants offering outstanding cooking.

It adds that Michelin inspectors take into account five universal criteria: the quality of the ingredients, the harmony of flavours, the mastery of techniques, the personality of the chef as expressed through their cuisine and, just as importantly, consistency both across the entire menu and over time.

Are Michelin Stars annual awards?

Yes. The article confirms that along with seeking out new Stars, The Michelin Guide continually reassess existing Star restaurants to ensure the same high standard of cooking is being offered to guests.

Is the decoration/style of restaurant a factor in being awarded a Michelin Star?

No. In the article, The Michelin Guide stresses that a Michelin Star is awarded for the food on the plate – nothing else.

The style of a restaurant, whether it's formal or informal, have no bearing on the award.

Who are the Michelin judges? Who makes Michelin's decisions?

The article on the Michelin Guide website explains that anonymous Michelin Inspectors make the decisions.

• Click here to find out who the Michelin inspectors are and what experience a Michelin inspector needs!

It adds that once several inspectors have eaten at a restaurant, they then discuss their experiences as a team before making a final decision.

How many meals does a Michelin Inspector have in a restaurant before awarding it a Star?

The article confirms there is no specific number.

For Michelin inspectors, consistency is very important when awarding Michelin Stars. Inspectors check that customers receive the same high standard of cooking whenever they visit.

It adds that Michelin inspectors will visit throughout the seasons for both lunch and dinner, as well as at the weekend and during the week.

What do Michelin Inspectors order?

Michelin inspectors try to eat as many dishes as possible over the course of the year, as well as trying to sample as much of the chef’s food as they can.

The article adds that inspectors have to be sure that all the dishes that come out of the kitchen are of a consistently high standard.

Do Michelin Inspectors eat alone or in pairs?

Both, sometimes inspectors eat alone, sometimes in pairs, and occasionally even as a group. Despite this, inspectors strive to make the final decisions collectively.

• Click here to find out how Michelin inspectors make their decisions!

How important is international experience for Inspectors?

International experience is very important for inspectors of the Michelin Guide.

The article explains that it ensures that all inspectors judge by the same standards and have the same reference points, adding that a Michelin Star must mean the same and have the same value, regardless of where in the world it is located.

Does service play a part for Michelin inspectors?

The Michelin guide has confirmed it’s entirely up to the restaurant to decide what style of service it wants to offer and that has no bearing on a Michelin Star.

Can any restaurant qualify for a Michelin star?

The article explains that any restaurant of any style and cuisine type can qualify for a Star.

Do restaurants have to apply for a Michelin Star?

According to the article, if the restaurant is currently in the Michelin Guide then they don’t need to apply for a Star, as all the restaurants in the guide are re-assessed regularly.

For those not yet featured in the guide, any restaurant is encouraged to ask the Michelin Guide to consider them, with readers also encouraged to send their recommendations as well. 

If the Head Chef leaves, does Michelin automatically remove the Star?

The article makes it clear that Michelin Stars are awarded to the restaurant and not the chef despite people commonly thinking otherwise.

Sometimes the restaurant will promote the sous chef who is of equal talent to his or her predecessor; others might hire a talented chef from another restaurant. We will simply return to the restaurant and see how well we eat.

Does Michelin have set criteria that the kitchen must adhere to?

The Michelin guide have stressed there is no set criteria a restaurant needs to follow to get a star. All chefs are encouraged to focus on is that they ensure they're doing really great cooking.

The rationale behind Michelin Stars might different, for example some are awarded to innovative spaces, others to traditional restaurants; some offer set menus, others à la carte; some are casual places, others formal.

In the article, the guide stress that they only provide a guide to is “restaurants with the best food, where you will enjoy the most outstanding culinary experiences”, encouraging the reader to choose the one that best suits their tastes.

Do you have a limit on how many Stars you can award in one year?

There there is no limit.

The Michelin Guide have many candidates during the year but some fall away as they simply aren’t consistent enough.

Why do you take Stars away?

Michelin stars are removed if inspectors feel the cooking at a restaurant is no longer at the same level that it was on previous visits. 

Do you also take into consideration the wine list?

The article explains that restaurants that are serious about their food tend to also take the same approach to drink, offering an interesting and robust wine list to guests.

What happens when you eat in a restaurant and then find the Head Chef was away?

The Michelin Guide do not take into account who is doing the cooking at the restaurant. 

For inspectors as long as the food is at the same standard that it has always been then there is no issue or fear of stars being taken away.

How does Michelin feel when they read that a chef “is not cooking for the guides”?

In the world hospitality, this is commonly repeated question particularly from chefs who aren't fussed by guides and accolades (there's plenty!).

In the eyes of the guide, inspectors are "delighted" to hear that chefs aren't interested in performing for guides and critics.

The article adds that any chef who is not cooking exclusively for their customers has clearly lost their way, and that no chef should cook for guides or for anyone other their customers. 

What is the difference between 1, 2 and 3 Michelin Stars?

The article breaks down the different distinctions behind the Michelin stars.

One Michelin Star is awarded to restaurants using top quality ingredients, where dishes with distinct flavours are prepared to a consistently high standard.

Two Michelin Stars are awarded when the personality and talent of the chef are evident in their expertly crafted dishes; their food is refined and inspired.

Three Michelin Stars is our highest award, given for the superlative cooking of chefs at the peak of their profession; their cooking is elevated to an art form and some of their dishes are destined to become classics.

What other awards for cooking are there in the MICHELIN Guide?

As well as the coveted Michelin Stars, the Michelin Guide offer two other awards.

The first is the The Bib Gourmand, an award for great value highlighting simple yet skilful cooking at an affordable price.

The second is the Green Star, a fairly new award that was introduced to the MICHELIN Guide France in 2020 and is now featured in every country covered by the MICHELIN Guide.

The article confirmed that the Green Star is awarded to restaurants that are role models when it comes to sustainable gastronomy.

Does Michelin ever give feedback to a restaurant?

No.

Michelin only give feedback to a restaurant should consider is the feedback it gets from its customers.

Does a Michelin Star put undue pressure on a chef?

The article from The Michelin Guide explains that chefs do not have to do anything differently when their restaurant gets a Michelin Star. 

The only thing inspectors continually look for is that restaurants maintain the same standard of cooking that won them the star in the first place. 

Do restaurant standards drop on busy Fridays and Saturdays?

No – quite the reverse.

The article explains that most restaurants are at their best when they’re busy, the challenge for any restaurant is maintaining a high standard on a quiet lunch on a wet Tuesday in January.

What advice would you give a young chef?

The first is that great cooking starts with great ingredients, so use the best produce you can find – whether that’s a tomato or a chicken.

The second is for chef to take pleasure in cooking for their customers, rather than cooking to try and win awards.

The third is to eat out as much as you can, but also eat your own dishes – sometimes it’s not until you’re halfway through a dish that you realise it’s not quite right.