What are the criteria for awarding stars?
According to Michelin, stars reflect “what’s on the plate and only what’s on the plate”. The five criteria they are judged on are: · The quality of ingredients · The skill in their preparation and the combination of flavours · The level of creativity · The value for money · The consistency of culinary standards Other criteria, such as décor and service, are indicated by fork-and-spoon symbols, and do not affect star ratings. Who are the inspectors and what do they do? There are 80 full-time Michelin inspectors. The average age of an inspector is 40, and they tend to be hotel school graduates with at least five years’ experience in the restaurant or hotel industry. New recruits receive six months’ training and work with an experienced inspector before going it alone. Every year, each inspector evaluates 240 restaurants, spends 130 nights in hotels, carries out 800 inspections, writes 1,100 reports and drives 18,000 miles. A typical day starts at 7am and ends at 11pm. Inspectors eat at r
