14 Comments

Michelin has never not been an intriguing world that seems to upset and delight in equal measure. I can recall quite a few 'results' days/eves that coincided with cookbook shoots with various chefs, and the tension and quiet that would hang in the room, and then a relief and cheer afterwards that was always palpable. Congratulations on getting in!

Expand full comment

It certainly is intriguing, but I wonder how much of it is for the benefit of the restaurant or tyre sales.

Expand full comment

Michelin is the biggest tyre company in the world and I suspect the shareholders all eat well and have a useful little guidebook to direct them around the world!

Expand full comment

Oh of course.

Expand full comment

Ha we did the Waterstones thing too.Interestingly our recommendation in the guide came about because the inspector(I asked him) OVERHEARD HEARD SOMEONE TALKING ABOUT the meal they'd had with us whilst they were at a restaurant not too far away, that place happened to have...a Meechelin star...

Expand full comment

Ah, that is interesting. We have a similar story about the AA guide and a Welsh radio show. But that’s for another time.

Expand full comment

Interesting theory re the Michelin thing and highly believable. I once won a competition at a Michelin recommended (I think or bib gourmand, a long time ago I forgot which one). It was dire!! Chipped plates. Mediocre food and wine. It was nothing special. Would definitely not pay to dine there. Yet I've dine in places that are incredible with no mention. I wonder how the AA rosette scheme differs to the MG if it dies at all?

Expand full comment

Doesn’t suprise me. The AA guide is a story for the future.

Expand full comment

Really interesting episode. I'm convinced the By Association thing is why there hasn't been a Michelin-starred restaurant in Brighton for 50 years. There are several restaurants here operating at a one-star standard that deserve a star. I know a lot of people will say their favourite restaurant deserves a Michelin star, but, being as objective as I can and based on quite a bit of Michelin starred-dining experience, I think I am correct in making that statement. But because they are not owned by an existing Michelin-starred chef or run by a chef who has held a head chef or executive chef position in a Michelin-starred kitchen, they have not been and probably will not be awarded a star. I would be extremely delighted to be proved wrong on the 10 February but time and time again I've expected it to happen and been disappointed. It's the curse of By Association!

Expand full comment

Well, I’m sure a lot of people would argue against this. However, here is an example. Many years ago people were incredibly suprised at a restaurant in a certain garden centre obtaining a star. A garden centre..….. no, how could that be.I was inquisitive. After a quick check it turned out that the chef was previously the food editor for Vogue and their father was, amongst other roles, a rather important tv executive.

Expand full comment

WTF!!

Expand full comment

⭐️

Expand full comment

It seems that having a Michelin star is more of a burden than anything else, always trying to meet and exceed expectations. You did well getting the recommendation, less pressure!

Expand full comment

You’re dead right, a double edged sword.

Expand full comment