Think it’s odd that a tyre company decides the world’s top restaurants? You’re not alone. In this article, we uncover the fascinating story behind how Michelin — best known for tyres — became the name behind fine dining’s most prestigious stars.
It might seem strange to link a tyre manufacturer with a premium restaurant guide, but actually the connection is much closer than many realise!
In fact, the Michelin Stars that are iconic in their reference, and are awarded to exquisite restaurants and eateries, come directly from the same Michelin that we know and recognise in the tyre industry.
Keep reading for all the detail on their connection and how a tyre brand came to hand out the highest award to kitchens around the world.
The History of the Michelin Star
The Michelin brand and its range of tyres were brought to the market by France-based brothers Édouard and André Michelin. Active in 1900, there were very few cars on the roads and so the need for new tyres was much more limited than the market we are familiar with today.
As a result, many manufacturers had other branches to their business. In Michelin’s case, it was a step into the travel industry, curating guides for travel which encouraged consumers to use vehicles more readily and set about exploring the world for themselves.
This first step kept the Michelin link very local. Michelin launched a traveller’s guide to France with reference to their favourite places to visit, eat, and drink – awarding stars to their favourite eateries.
The very best restaurants were awarded a star within this guide – and so, the Michelin star was born.
Expanding Into Europe
Over time and as the 1920s hit, the demand for travel guides and the accessibility of overseas travel became more popular. As a result, Michelin dived into the creation of travel guides for multiple destinations across Europe.
And the Michelin star concept went with them.
This pitched travel as something available to everyone – using tyres available from the brand and visiting restaurants that the same brand recommended. And so you see the direct connection between Michelin as a tyre manufacturer and Michelin as the home of fine dining recommendations.
Being awarded a Michelin star has now become one of the coveted accolades in the world of fine dining, with the concept having travelled worldwide and being actively used all across the globe.
