Michelin Guide facts for kids
The Michelin Guide is a famous series of yearly guidebooks. They are published by a French company called Michelin. These guides have been around for over 100 years! They help people find great restaurants and hotels.
Most people think of the Michelin Red Guide when they hear "Michelin Guide." This is the oldest and most well-known guide for hotels and restaurants in Europe. A team of experts gives special awards called Michelin stars to the very best places. Getting or losing a star can make a huge difference for a restaurant's success.
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What is the Michelin Guide?
The Michelin Guide is a set of books that review restaurants and hotels. It helps travelers and food lovers find excellent places to eat and stay. The guides are published every year. They are known for their strict review process.
Why was the Guide created?
The Michelin company is actually famous for making car tyres. The guide was first made in 1900 by the Michelin brothers, André and Édouard. They wanted to encourage more people to drive cars. If more people drove, they would need more tyres! The guide helped drivers find places to eat, sleep, and even get their cars fixed. It was a free guide at first.
How did the Guide become famous?
At first, the guide was free. But the brothers noticed that people didn't value things they got for free. One day, André Michelin saw copies of the guide being used to prop up a workbench. He decided that people would respect the guide more if they paid for it. So, in 1920, the guide started to cost money.
How do restaurants get Michelin stars?
The most famous part of the Michelin Guide is its star rating system. This system started in 1926. At first, restaurants could only get one star. By 1931, the system grew to include two and three stars. The rules for giving out stars were set in 1936.
What do the stars mean?
- One star: This means a restaurant is "a very good restaurant in its category." It's worth stopping for if you are nearby.
- Two stars: This means a restaurant is "excellent cooking, worth a detour." It's a special place that you should go out of your way to visit.
- Three stars: This means "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey." These are the very best restaurants in the world. They offer a unique and unforgettable experience.
Who are the Michelin inspectors?
Michelin guides are put together by a team of secret inspectors. These inspectors are full-time employees. They visit restaurants anonymously, just like any other customer. They pay for their meals and never tell anyone they work for Michelin. This helps them get the same experience as everyone else.
What do inspectors look for?
Inspectors look at five main things when they review a restaurant:
- The quality of the ingredients used.
- The skill of the chef in preparing the food and combining flavors.
- The "personality" of the chef in their cooking.
- Value for money.
- Consistency between visits. This means the food should be great every time.
Inspectors write reports after their visits. Then, they meet to discuss which restaurants should get stars. It's a very careful process to make sure the ratings are fair.
Where are Michelin Guides available?
The Michelin Guide started in France. Today, it covers many parts of the world. You can find guides for:
- Most of western Europe.
- Major cities in the USA.
- Countries like Japan, Hong Kong, and Macau.
The guides are updated every year. This means they always have the latest information on the best places to eat and stay.
Images for kids
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Cover of a 2018 Michelin Guide
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1911 Michelin Guide to the British Isles
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Dishes made by Michelin-starred restaurants
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Michelin Guide "fork and spoon" red designation at Miodova Restaurant, Kraków, Poland, for 2017 and 2018
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A menu course from a Michelin-rated restaurant in Helsinki, Finland
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A course in a Michelin-starred restaurant in Geneva, Switzerland
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A course in a Michelin-starred restaurant in Tokyo, Japan
See also
In Spanish: Guía Michelin para niños
