It gets more than its fair share of stick, but there’s no denying the announcement of the Michelin Guide results (which you can view here) continues to be one of the most important events on the culinary calendar. Before the event you’ll see Twitter awash with people betting their lives on certain places getting a nod, then afterwards there’s plenty of congratulatory posts, outrage at those who were missed out and a fair amount of opinion pieces (this one included) debating the relevance of the Guide in a world of online peer reviews and social media.
It’s certainly been a tough few years for Michelin. Competing restaurant guides have sprung up while more and more chefs have become disenchanted with the criteria needed to gain a star (even though Michelin says they are awarded purely for the food alone). The fact that the UK is home to more fantastic restaurants than ever before means the average diner has never been in a better position to choose where to eat out, be it somewhere casual and distinctly un-Michelin or a hallowed temple of gastronomy. Tastes are changing, too – it’s clear that things like silver service, white tablecloths and formal dress codes are (thankfully) nowhere near as popular as they used to be, as younger generations prefer buzzy, friendly, relaxed surroundings with the same quality on the plate.
Whatever your stance is on Michelin, be you a chef or a diner, you can’t escape the fact that winning a star can change a restaurant overnight. It’s especially significant for restaurants off the beaten track that can’t rely on footfall, and there are still huge numbers of diners that refer to the guide whenever they are looking for a special meal out. It’s also a defining moment in any chef’s career; a sign that all those long hours and services have paid off.
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Michelin Guide 2019: the good, the bad and the controversial
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