Arguably one of the best jobs in the world, Michelin inspectors are among the most respected (and feared?) in the culinary industry. A Michelin Star can make or break restaurants. So how do these inspectors decide who gets a recommendation or a star?
During the Michelin Guide Texas ceremony, International Director of The Michelin Guides Gwendal Poullennec gave a sneak peek into what it’s like to be an inspector.
“International inspectors are men and women from more than 30 different nationalities, and they are passionate professionals who are all full-time employees of The Michelin Group who share a love for exceptional cooking and discovering the best restaurants around the world,” Poullennec said during the ceremony.
Poullennec explained that these inspectors behave and dine, just like any other person out to enjoy a meal. “All recommendations have the same value, whether you are in Tokyo, Paris, New York or Texas,” he said.
To safeguard the integrity of their reviews, inspectors dine incognito, covering the full cost of their meals to ensure an unbiased experience. These rigorous guidelines for inspectors have remained since the 1930s. “For more than 120 years The Michelin Guide has stayed true to its mission: to guide world travelers and local food lovers to the best restaurants, and celebrate the diversity of global cuisine,” Poullennec said.
While the inspectors remain anonymous, many chefs still try to keep an eye out, hoping to catch a glimpse of one of these culinary icons. But can they?
“You know, I think that's one thing I'll give Michelin a lot of credit for, because we took a lot of time and energy trying to be able to spot the Michelin diners,” Monarch chef Danny Grant, one of the youngest people to get a Michelin Star previously told Local Profile. “ It never happened. We never figured it out. We had no idea."
How Restaurants Are Selected
Since The Michelin Guide Texas announcement, undercover inspectors have been quietly dining across the state, booking tables under assumed names and footing their own bills to guarantee an authentic, unfiltered experience — just like any other guest. The inspectors are full-time Michelin employees and rate their experience according to five publicly acknowledged assessment criteria:
- Quality of the products
- Mastery of flavor and cooking techniques
- The personality of the chef in his or her cuisine
- Value for money
- Consistency between visits
These rigorous guidelines for inspectors have remained since the 1930s. “For more than 120 years The Michelin Guide has stayed true to its mission: to guide world travelers and local food lovers to the best restaurants, and celebrate the diversity of global cuisine,” Poullennec said.
What Restaurants Can Win
- Green Star: highlights restaurants with notable sustainable practices
- Exceptional cocktail: given to restaurants with quality cocktail programs
- Recommended: inspectors recommend these restaurants
- Bib Gourmand: given to restaurants that offer high-quality food at a reasonable price
- One star: a very good restaurant
- Two stars: excellent cooking that is worth a detour
- Three stars: exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey
For more about The Michelin Guide Texas 2024 recommended restaurants , visit the link here. The list includes Harvest at the Masonic, Mister Charles, Quarter Acre, Georgie and more. Tatsu is the sole Dallas restaurant to get a Michelin Star in the guide’s inaugural Texas edition.
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