How to get a Michelin Star, Bib Gourmand or Become Michelin Recommended

The Michelin star is one of the most respected accolades in the culinary world, representing excellence in cuisine and service. It originated from the Michelin Guide, which was first published in the early 1900s by the Michelin Tyre Company. Initially created to promote travel and tire sales, the guide has since transformed into a global authority on fine dining. Over the years, the guide has introduced additional distinctions like the Bib Gourmand, which honors restaurants offering exceptional food at a reasonable price, and the Michelin Recommended status, which acknowledges establishments listed in the guide without receiving a star or Bib Gourmand.

 

So, how can you secure a Michelin star, Bib Gourmand, or become Michelin Recommended? To maximize your chances of joining the elite ranks of Michelin-approved establishments, we've compiled essential information and tips to help your restaurant succeed. Keep reading to understand the significance of a Michelin star, Bib Gourmand, and Michelin Recommended status, and to gain insights on improving your odds of earning one of these prestigious awards.

What Exactly is a Michelin Star?

For restaurateurs, securing a Michelin star is a testament to excellence, but what exactly does it entail? Simply put, a Michelin star is an acknowledgment of a restaurant's exceptional cuisine. The Michelin Guide, originally a travel guide, began incorporating star ratings in the early 20th century to recognize culinary excellence. Today, the guide is revered globally for its impartial evaluation of fine dining experiences.

The Michelin Guide emphasizes that food is the sole criterion for awarding stars. However, inspectors also consider service and ambiance, and these aspects might be highlighted in the guide if your establishment receives a star. The award is given to the restaurant rather than the chef, though a chef's reputation can significantly influence a restaurant's standing.

How are Michelin Stars Awarded?

To qualify for a Michelin star, a restaurant must first be included in the Michelin Guide. To do this, you need to submit an application form provided by Michelin after completing a detailed questionnaire. Following submission, a Michelin inspector may visit your restaurant. These inspectors are anonymous, so you won't know about the visit until you receive the results. Alternatively, readers can recommend restaurants to the Michelin Guide, giving you a small chance of being inspected without applying.

The exact criteria for awarding Michelin stars remain somewhat mysterious, with various rumors circulating in the industry. However, Michelin has outlined five key areas that inspectors evaluate:

1. Quality of ingredients
2. Mastery of flavors and cooking techniques
3. Personality of the chef reflected in the dining experience
4. Harmony of flavors
5. Consistency across multiple visits

Who are the Michelin Inspectors?

Michelin stars are awarded by a team of anonymous inspectors who are highly trained professionals with extensive experience in the food industry. They visit restaurants incognito, paying for their meals just like any other customer, and follow strict evaluation protocols. Their findings are discussed collectively to ensure fair and consistent decisions before stars are awarded.

Michelin has five core values when selecting inspectors who bestow Michelin stars:

1. Anonymity: Inspectors maintain their anonymity to ensure an authentic dining experience.
2. Independence: Inspectors are employed by Michelin, who cover all dining expenses, eliminating bias.
3. Expertise: Each inspector is an expert in catering and hospitality, with hands-on industry experience.
4. Reliability: Decisions are made collectively by a group of experts, ensuring reliability.
5. Passion: Every inspector is a passionate food enthusiast.

How Many Michelin Stars Can You Earn?

A restaurant can earn between one and three Michelin stars. The number of stars reflects the following:

• One star: Recognizes a very good restaurant in its category. Dishes here showcase distinct flavors and high-quality ingredients executed consistently.
• Two stars: Denotes excellent cooking "worth a detour." Restaurants with two stars are celebrated for their superior techniques, refined menus, and unique culinary identity.
• Three stars: The highest accolade, three stars signify "exceptional cuisine worth a special journey." Achieving three stars represents world-class dishes that excel in every aspect.

While restaurants can earn up to three stars, they can also lose them if standards decline. Maintaining Michelin stars demands constant dedication and excellence.

How Difficult is it to Get a Michelin Star?

Securing a Michelin star is incredibly challenging, requiring a restaurant to excel in every aspect of its culinary offering. Competition is fierce, with thousands of restaurants vying for recognition annually. Standards are exceptionally high, and the evaluation process is rigorous, involving multiple visits to ensure consistency. Adhering to the five factors in the Michelin star criteria gives you the best chance for success, but achieving this honor still demands years of persistence, patience, and unwavering commitment to quality.

Even earning one star is a significant achievement, reflecting a restaurant's dedication to quality and innovation. Advancing to two or three stars is even more challenging, requiring not only technical perfection but also creativity, originality, and consistent excellence over time. Many chefs and restaurateurs dedicate their careers to achieving Michelin stars, so patience is key if this is your goal.

What are Bib Gourmand and Michelin Recommended?

The Michelin Guide is widely recognized for its prestigious star ratings, but it also celebrates restaurants that excel in different ways. Two of these additional accolades are the Bib Gourmand and the Michelin Recommended designation. These awards highlight establishments that offer exceptional dining experiences without necessarily being the most luxurious or expensive. While they may be more attainable for many restaurants, they are still significant achievements. Let’s explore the meaning behind the Bib Gourmand and Michelin Recommended labels.

What is a Bib Gourmand?

A Michelin Bib Gourmand is an award given to restaurants that provide high-quality food at a reasonable price. Named after Bibendum, the iconic Michelin Man, this accolade recognizes establishments that offer excellent value for money. While pricing varies by region, Bib Gourmand recipients typically provide a complete meal—often including a starter, main course, and dessert—at a set price that is more budget-friendly than that of a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Many people mistakenly believe that receiving a Bib Gourmand means the food lacks the quality needed for a Michelin star. However, the Bib Gourmand is not a consolation prize; it is a prestigious distinction in its own right. Restaurants honored with this accolade are recognized for their creativity, skill, and dedication to delivering memorable dining experiences at an accessible price point. The dishes are often simpler than those found in starred restaurants but are no less delicious or of lower quality, showcasing the chef’s mastery of flavors and techniques.

In some cases, having a Bib Gourmand may work better for your establishment than earning a Michelin star. These restaurants are often popular among locals and offer a more relaxed and approachable dining experience.

What Does it Mean to Be Michelin Recommended?

Being Michelin Recommended is a designation given to restaurants that inspectors believe are worth visiting, even if they don’t meet the criteria for a star or a Bib Gourmand. This endorsement suggests that the restaurant offers a solid dining experience, with well-prepared dishes and a pleasant atmosphere.

The Michelin Recommended label applies to a wide range of dining establishments, from casual eateries like food trucks to more formal restaurants. While not as prestigious as a Michelin star or a Bib Gourmand, being a Michelin Recommended establishment is still a noteworthy accomplishment that distinguishes a restaurant from its peers.

How to Get a Michelin Star, Bib Gourmand, or Michelin Recommended

 

Whether you aspire to become a Michelin-star chef or simply want your eatery to be Michelin Recommended, earning these accolades requires more than just serving good food. It demands creating an exceptional dining experience that consistently surpasses expectations. Below are some strategies to consider to help your business achieve Michelin recognition.

Invest in Quality Equipment and Ingredients

One of the best tips for aspiring to earn a Michelin star, Bib Gourmand, or Michelin Recommended status is to invest in quality. Michelin inspectors look for precision and consistency in every dish, which is impossible to achieve without the right tools and the freshest, highest-quality ingredients.

When it comes to kitchen appliances, seek out products that help your chefs innovate and experiment to create something truly unique. For instance, a dehydrator is a great tool for this, enabling kitchen staff to not only elevate garnishes but also introduce unexpected textures to a dish. Vegetable slicers and food processors are essential for consistency, a key factor Michelin inspectors evaluate, while a thermal blender can enhance the consistency of baked goods. Learn more about how a thermal blender can benefit your baking by reading our blog post.

High-quality kitchenware is equally important. From premium can openers and portioners to top-grade knives and sharpeners, the equipment used in your kitchen should enable your chefs to execute their craft flawlessly.

Equally vital is sourcing the best ingredients, focusing on freshness, seasonality, and sustainability. Build strong relationships with trusted suppliers to ensure you receive the finest produce, meats, and seafood. This commitment to quality will be evident in the dishes you serve and is crucial for impressing Michelin inspectors. Moreover, buying locally not only enhances your sustainability efforts but also adds a unique touch to your menu.

Create a Unique Menu

A standout menu is one of the most critical elements when it comes to achieving Michelin recognition. Your menu should reflect the creativity, skill, and vision of your team and offer something truly distinctive. This can be achieved through innovative dishes, unique flavor combinations, or perfecting modern interpretations of classic recipes.

To create a unique menu, think about what sets your restaurant apart. Are you specializing in a particular cuisine or theme? Perhaps you focus on farm-to-table dining, fusion cuisine, or molecular gastronomy. Whatever your niche, ensure your menu is cohesive and reflects a clear culinary identity. Regularly update your menu with seasonal ingredients and new creations while maintaining consistency in quality.

Ensure Value for Money

If you're targeting a Bib Gourmand, value for money is crucial. Michelin inspectors will evaluate whether the food you provide justifies the cost. While the food still needs to be of the highest quality, you'll also be evaluated based on the five factors in the Michelin star criteria. With a Bib Gourmand, however, you must ensure your excellent-quality food is accessible at a more reasonable price point.

To achieve this, carefully design your menu to offer dishes that are not only delicious but also well-priced. Consider offering set menus or prix fixe options that allow diners to experience a variety of your offerings at a reasonable cost. Balance creativity with practicality to ensure each dish both impresses and provides value. Buying local ingredients can help cut costs in the kitchen, as can negotiating prices with suppliers and using portion control tools to avoid overserving your dishes.

Support Your Chefs' Success

The talent and passion of your kitchen team are at the heart of your restaurant's success. To earn Michelin recognition, it's essential to foster an environment where your chefs can grow and reach their full potential. This involves providing continuous training, encouraging creativity, and maintaining a collaborative atmosphere for every member of the kitchen staff.

There are numerous ways to support your chefs, such as giving them personal development time to experiment with new techniques and ingredients, or providing training from chefs with experience in a Michelin-starred restaurant. A passionate and motivated kitchen team is more likely to produce outstanding results consistently, which is crucial for impressing Michelin inspectors.

One of the five factors in the Michelin star criteria is that the personality of the chef should be represented in the menu and cuisine. Ensure your head chef has the opportunity to showcase their personal cooking style by allowing them ample time to explore and innovate. Not only does this help them refine their skills further, but it ensures your menu includes dishes that are truly unique and inventive.

Pay Attention to Your Drinks Menu

A thoughtfully curated drinks menu is an integral part of the dining experience and can significantly impact Michelin's evaluation. In fact, the Michelin Guide features several symbols indicating notable wine lists, interesting cocktail lists, and unique beer selections.

Whether your establishment specializes in premium wines or creative cocktails, your drinks menu should complement and enhance your food offerings. Collaborate with a knowledgeable sommelier or beverage director to develop a drinks program that aligns with your menu. Offer pairings that elevate the flavors of your dishes and provide guests with options that suit their preferences.

 

After reading this guide, you now have all the information you need to understand how to get a Michelin star, Bib Gourmand, or become Michelin Recommended. The path to achieving any of these prestigious culinary accolades is long and demanding, requiring unwavering commitment to quality, creativity, and consistency. By staying patient, adhering to the Michelin star criteria, and implementing the tips above, your restaurant stands the best chance of receiving one of these awards.

At Mitchell & Cooper, we can provide you with everything you need on your Michelin journey. From high-quality cookware to inspiring new appliances, your chefs will appreciate the freedom and creativity that exceptional kitchen equipment can provide.

Looking for more hospitality advice and inspiration? Be sure to check out the rest of our guides for more valuable information, including our guides to EHO food safety inspections, UK alcohol licensing laws, and more.