8 Facts About The Michelin Guide You Probably Didn't Know

1. It Started As A Tire Guide

[{"selector":"#anim-c03eb2e3-8027-4f02-bbe1-161e871db42e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2173df02-d1be-4c7c-987e-59bdae4d9835","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash The Michelin Guide was first published in 1900 by the Michelin tire company, not as a food guide but as a travel companion for drivers.

2. The First Stars Were Introduced In 1926

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3. The 3-Star System Came Later

[{"selector":"#anim-8134b628-ed41-4dd9-91f8-de419e636b8d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4d5dd47d-0886-455a-9242-85f7bad3c8dc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 167.14980%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash The now-famous system of one, two, and three stars wasn’t established until 1931. Three stars mean “exceptional cuisine worth a special journey,” a huge honour for any restaurant.

4. Anonymous Inspectors Are Key

[{"selector":"#anim-fe840c81-cf08-4d9e-9db7-0aa0d076c16d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-85ed6074-5a55-4042-963b-722ecc2b7b5d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Michelin inspectors visit restaurants anonymously, paying their own bills to ensure an unbiased review and their identities are kept secret.

5. It’s More Than Just Food

[{"selector":"#anim-909868ad-18e8-4224-84b2-ba76ba3a16fd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-85f07774-74e9-4c75-b54c-c0c561c41456","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash The guide evaluates not only the quality of food but also consistency, creativity, technique, and the overall dining experience.

6. It’s A Global Phenomenon, But Originated In France

[{"selector":"#anim-1c7b893a-290e-4fa8-b2a6-1c69a75d0d89","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-79959f70-e3bc-4d5d-b6e1-abd7343c120b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash While the Michelin Guide began in France, it now covers cities all over the world, from Tokyo and New York to Dubai and Melbourne.

7. Not All Michelin-Starred Chefs Are Happy

[{"selector":"#anim-9fa0f8ad-4429-402e-8371-12edcecb318e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-115504dd-4b8a-4fd1-a89a-7fd5e387b159","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.49168%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Earning a star can bring enormous pressure. Some chefs have even returned or given up their stars to escape the intense scrutiny.

8. The Guide Also Lists Budget-Friendly Options

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[{"selector":"#anim-d8e10df6-f308-4114-b994-d4edcf7508eb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c39750e3-294c-44f3-99eb-1539899563ee","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 550.44477%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash Which one of these facts amazed you the most?