How To Become A Michelin Star Chef: Guide To Become One
Many top chefs strive to lead a restaurant towards Michelin Star status, as it is one of the most prestigious awards in the culinary world. There is no ” Michelin Star chef” but chefs who lead a restaurant and earn this designation will be able to tout it forever.
This is an admirable goal but it’s not easy to achieve. Less than 16,000 restaurants in the world, including less than 4,000 US restaurants, have achieved this elusive accolade. It’s a testament to how important the Michelin Star is and how hard chefs have to work to get a Michelin Star.
If you are one of these award-winning chefs, then sharpen your knives and learn how to be a Michelin Star Chef.
What is a Michelin Star?
Michelin stars were first awarded to chefs and restaurants in the early 1900s. In France, the system was first introduced and initially only one star could be obtained. As the Michelin Guide criteria evolved so did the number of Michelin stars. Restaurants can now receive one, two, or three Michelin Stars. The number of Michelin stars that a restaurant is awarded depends on a variety of factors, including the atmosphere, the service, the culinary innovation, and gastronomical excellence.
Michelin stars have a transformative impact on chefs and restaurants. A Michelin star rating is given to a restaurant when its chefs are recognized for their exceptional culinary skills.
How does a chef get a Michelin star?
Michelin Guide today assesses restaurants around the globe. The Michelin Guide awards stars to restaurants based on the anonymous inspections of inspectors.
A Michelin star can bring a lot of attention to a restaurant and increase demand and reservations. It can also have a significant impact on the future success of a restaurant.
Remember that Michelin stars go to restaurants, not chefs. The award is given to the operation and not the chef. The executive chef is a key player in the success of a restaurant. The executive chef should take credit for a Michelin-starred restaurant.
How to become a Michelin Star chef
There is no one path to becoming a Michelin Star Chef, but many of the culinary experts who have achieved this status have followed similar paths. Use the steps below as a guide if you want to add a Michelin Star to your list of achievements.
1. Culinary education is a great way to start.
The culinary program does not have to be a requirement for becoming a chef. A formal culinary education will provide you with the skills and experience that employers are looking for. You can learn the basics of knife skills and food hygiene in both the classroom and in the kitchen, whether you choose an online course.
You can also learn to create menus, manage purchases and design them at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.
You’ll also be surrounded by talented chefs and peers. You can always bounce ideas off of them or ask for help if needed.
2. Practice in the Kitchen
It’s time to put your culinary skills into practice. Don’t believe that culinary school and practical experience are separate. Escoffier will help you find a six-week industry internship at the end of your degree program or diploma. It is essential to have the best kitchen equipment in Sydney to ensure your food is prepared and cooked with reliable hardware!
Externships are a great way to improve your culinary skills and gain valuable experience. Students often find that an externship is the first step to a successful career.
3. Find a mentor and learn from them
You’ll always benefit from having a mentor to inspire and guide your culinary journey. You may develop a valuable relationship while attending culinary school or working in a restaurant with a Chef instructor, Executive Chef, Sous chef, or an alumni.
Take a deep breath and contact a professional that you admire if you do not have a mentor. It doesn’t mean you are weak to ask for mentorship. It shows that you are serious about your career. If the person can’t guide you through your culinary journey they may still be able to refer you to other people in their network.
Don’t expect a mentor to wave a magic spatula, and bring your dreams true. You’ll need to do the work. Mentors can hold you accountable for mediocre efforts and help you set concrete goals. This is not harsh criticism; it’s a reminder to do better.
4. Develop your soft skills
Chefs in professional kitchens may be expected to have a variety of skills, including the ability to balance flavours, mince onions and operate sous vide. What about self-awareness, clear communication and organization? Chefs also need soft skills.
You can use these skills to create delicious dishes and also become a leader that your team will look up to. You must manage a team of restaurant staff that can implement the menu every day, even if you have a winning recipe and the best products. Michelin-starred restaurants place equal importance on consistency and flavour.
If anyone can attest to the importance of leadership it is Curtis Duffy Executive Chef and Owner of two Michelin Star Restaurants Ever. “I am the face of this restaurant. Behind me, I have an army of people who I can count on. “They’re the ones who really make it possible,” says Duffy. “Their tireless work ethic and their constant push each day is what allows me to do what I am doing now.” It allows me to grow my brand and give others the chance to grow along with me.
5. Enjoy the Best Restaurants in Your Area
It’s time to move forward with your dream as you gain experience in the real world. You should understand how top-notch kitchens work before you try to guide a restaurant towards Michelin Star status. You will be encouraged to improve your skills in a Michelin-starred restaurant and create your own identity.
Working in a top-notch restaurant will not only expose you to the best cuisine but also give you access to mentors who can be very helpful.
6. Work Your way up in the Kitchen
You have the knowledge and experience to succeed at this stage of your journey. It’s not time to give up.
You may have to be a creative and commanding leader in addition to being a great cook if you want to become an executive chef. Always be looking for ways to learn, push boundaries and take on leadership roles.
All you have to do after becoming an executive chef is continue working in the city where Michelin Guide inspectors are present. You can lead your restaurant towards the Michelin Star with a strong foundation and perseverance.
Building a strong culinary staff and nurturing talent
Teamwork and leadership are essential in any kitchen. To become a Michelin-starred chef, you will need to nurture talent and build a culinary team that includes sous chefs, chefs de parties, executive chefs, and head chefs.
To inspire your team to perform well, you’ll need to show excellent leadership skills.
Strive for excellence in food flavour and quality
Michelin stars are awarded to restaurants based on the quality and taste of their dishes. Inspectors are judging based on creativity, consistency, and quality. To be awarded a Michelin Star, you must study flavour profiles and work with seasonal ingredients to create exceptional dishes.
The balance between tradition and innovation is the key to culinary art.
Inspectors of Michelin will look for dishes that combine tradition with innovation. It is therefore important that you have a distinct vision or voice in your cooking.
This is not something you can learn in a textbook. Your culinary voice is developed throughout your career as you experience the different cuisines around the world. You can learn to balance tradition with innovation by travelling, eating at traditional restaurants and trying new foods. There’s something new to discover in every corner of this world, whether it is delicate French food or exotic Caribbean cuisine.
Delivering exceptional dining experiences
Achieving your first Michelin Star is a momentous occasion in a person’s career. The hard work does not stop here. The Michelin Guide criteria is updated every year. Listening to your guests and delivering exceptional dining experiences is paramount.
Dealing with the pressures and demands of the industry
It’s a rewarding career to be a chef because you can combine your passion with your expertise and create memories that will last a lifetime for diners. Chefs face a lot of pressure and demands.
The pressures chefs face can also affect their personal lives. They often work long hours, and they are required to perform multiple roles in the kitchen. Chefs are also under pressure, which can be stressful. You’ll have many opportunities throughout your career to improve your skills, resilience and how you navigate the demands of the food industry.
