The coveted Michelin star and what it takes to win one
On March 27 2023, the newest starred restaurants in Great Britain and Ireland were announced, bringing the total number of award-winning spots to 206.
Michelin stars are given out on a scale of one to three, with only the top establishments in the world qualifying. To earn one Michelin star, a restaurant needs to offer “high quality cooking, worth a stop”. For two stars, it needs to be “excellent cooking, worth a detour”. For three stars, a restaurant must serve “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.”
The Michelin selection criteria
The Michelin world can seem mysterious. After all, inspectors dine out anonymously and pay for their own meals. But, Michelin has shed a glimmer of light as to what’s taken into account when selecting star-worthy restaurants.
1. High-quality produce.
2. Mastery of flavour and cooking techniques.
3. Personality of the chef in the cuisine.
4. Value for money.
5. Consistency of food.
What Michelin star restaurants have in common
It’s been 97 years since Michelin began awarding stars, and in that almost century, there’s a lot of learnings to take from starred restaurants.
Firstly is a commitment to quality. No restaurant can win a Michelin star without a commitment to quality, from the dishes you serve to the service you provide. That quality has to be consistent, too.
Next up is honing in on what makes your restaurant unique. Whether it’s an exclusive wine list, or how your chefs approach a certain type of cuisine, you need to shine to get a coveted star.
The third element is outstanding service. The most amazing food and drink won’t make up for inattentive staff. That’s why investing in employee training and efficient technology is key.
A star’s benefit to chefs
As with everything in the hospitality industry, it’s all about the customer, and the Michelin Guide is no different. “We make this guide first and foremost to help lovers of good food enjoy the best of what the culinary world has to offer.” explains Werner Loens, director of the Michelin Guide.
But, there’s no denying the star value Michelin offers to restaurants. From increased bookings to greater brand awareness, a Michelin star has the potential to boost your business, quite literally, overnight.
“It opens up a more international clientele that before we did not have. Guests come from all over the world.” says Giancarlo Paterlini, owner of two Michelin-starred restaurants, Acquerello in San Francisco.
The power of technology in Michelin star restaurants
Efficient technology helps you create a better experience for the customer, as well as producing more consistent results. These, in turn, can help you on your journey to winning a star.
Consistency is key when it comes to gaining a Michelin star, and Lightspeed hardware and software makes that easy to achieve. Whether it's digitalising checks, simplifying the customer experience with PMS integrations and centralised data, or customising your offering with the help of tailored reports, a one-stop restaurant ePOS system like Lightspeed Restaurant makes a Michelin star more attainable.
