All about Michelin Star Chefs?
First, there are about 2500 restaurants awarded of 1 Michelin Star in the world, 500 restaurants with 2 Michelin Stars and around 150 awarded 3 Michelin Stars. Secondly, this evolves every year based on the release of the guide in every part of the world.
Discover our full list of Michelin Star chef here.
Since 1926, the Michelin guide began to award stars for fine dining establishments.
First of all, only a single star was used to award restaurants. Then, in 1931, the hierarchy of zero, one Michelin Star, two, and three stars was introduced. Finally, in 1936, the criteria for the starred rankings were published:
- One Michelin Star: “A very good restaurant in its category” (Une très bonne table dans sa catégorie)
- Two Michelin Star: “Excellent cooking, worth a detour” (Table excellente, mérite un détour)
- Three Michelin Star: “Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey” (Une des meilleures tables, vaut le voyage).
As a result, France – quelle surprise – is on top of the charts, with a whopping 600 Michelin star chefs and restaurants. Then, Japan with 419, Italy with 333, Germany with 290. In addition, the UK comes next, pipping the US (148), Belgium (129), Switzerland (116) and Netherlands (107). Furthermore, Hong Kong and Macao, which feature in the same guide, punch well above their weight with a combined 77. Finally, a further 13 countries are rated by Michelin’s inspectors. Discover our full list of Michelin Star chef here.
Did you know? In 2009 The New Yorker said:
Michelin has gone to extraordinary lengths to maintain the anonymity of its inspectors. Many of the company’s top executives have never met an inspector; inspectors themselves are advised not to disclose their line of work, even to their parents (who might be tempted to boast about it); and, in all the years that it has been putting out the guide, Michelin has refused to allow its inspectors to speak to journalists. The inspectors write reports that are distilled, in annual “stars meetings” at the guide’s various national offices, into the ranking of three stars, two stars, or one star—or no stars. (Establishments that Michelin deems unworthy of a visit are not included in the guide.)
