How is Michelin Star gastronomy awarded?

Guests on a luxury yacht look forward to optimal experiences when they arrive in Spain, and this includes its authentic quality gastronomy. Evolution’s “Kitchens of Spain” offers the opportunity to invite chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants on board to prepare exquisite local dishes for all to enjoy. The Michelin Guide is renowned as the international reference for establishments with the finest cuisine, but do you know the procedure that restaurants have to successfully pass to obtain this prized badge of gastronomic recognition?

The stars represent:

Very good restaurant in its category.

Excellent cooking that is worth a detour.

Exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey.

Before a Michelin star is awarded to a restaurant, it is visited and evaluated by official inspectors. These inspectors are professionals with 5 to 10 years of experience in the sector. They are trained by the organization’s hostelry schools and during their first year they are accompanied by another veteran inspector.   The new inspector has a six-month training period, during which she or he will learn the various criteria for awarding stars, assigning comfort categories or evaluating other services.

Since there are only about 130 inspectors in the world, each one covers more than 30,000 km to visit an average of 800 establishments (250 meals in restaurants and around 150 nights in hotels). All countries use the same evaluation criteria and follow fundamental principles defined by the guide:

—  Anonymous visits by inspectors.

—  Independent visits to ensure the objectivity of the process.

—  Rigorous application of the same method for all inspectors.

—  Annual update.

—  Homogeneity of selection.

There are many restaurants in Spain who have been working hard for years to achieve a Michelin star, as is a difficult process which requires unwavering constancy. A restaurant is visited at least four times by before being awarded its first Michelin star it is. For 2 stars they receive ten visits, and to achieve 3 stars they are visited by French as well as Spanish inspectors, who must be in unanimous agreement.

So, what are inspectors looking for? Everything. This includes the quality of ingredients, mastery of cooking times, flavours, regularity of the quality/price ratio and the chef’s creativity.

Whether your yacht has invited a chef from a Michelin-starred restaurant on board or whether you visit one of the many recognised restaurants around Spain we recommend that you experience their fine cuisine for yourself. Buen provecho!