Michelin Stars: Tales from the Kitchen

Get behind the scenes of the Michelin Guide of fine dining and explore the secret work of Michelin inspectors to understand the criteria for obtaining stars. The guide’s value as a marketing tool for Michelin is significant. Through interviews with international director Michael Ellis, we get the Michelin guide’s official views on gastronomy. We also meet chefs, food writers, and critics who find the guide “lazy,” “over-the-hill,” “secretive,” and some who consider it “a must.” Despite the critique, Michelin still strongly influences cooks’ aspirations. Few criticize the guide publicly, but privately, many despair of its limited scope and snobbery. As we delve into top restaurants’ kitchens, we explore what it takes to earn the famous stars.