Prompt Cast
The Michelin Guide: From Tires to Fine Dining
TLDR Michelin, the tire company turned publisher, created the Michelin Guide in 1900 to encourage people to drive and explore France. The guide has since expanded globally, facing controversy and criticism for its influence over chefs and restaurants.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Michelin, the tire company, is also the publisher of the world's most renowned restaurant guide.
05:08
Michelin started making tires for cars at a good time and created the Michelin Guide in 1900 to encourage people to drive more and visit different places in France.
10:09
The Michelin Guide has expanded to include over 40,000 restaurants in 34 countries, with plans to release a guidebook for Moscow and Tokyo, in an effort to shed its image as a snooty French publication and emphasize the quality of the food.
15:12
The Michelin Guide includes a symbol called the bib gourmand, which represents good quality and good value restaurants where you can get a three-course meal for about $40 per person.
20:37
The Michelin Guide has additional symbols such as the plate to michelin, which represents good cooking but not at the level of a bib gourmand, and the green star, which is given to restaurants practicing sustainable gastronomy.
25:22
Michelin inspectors are trained and experienced in the hospitality industry, undergo a rigorous vetting process, and have to maintain anonymity while reviewing restaurants, which can be challenging in the age of social media.
30:23
Eating alone as a Michelin inspector can be lonely and challenging, as bringing a friend or using your phone is frowned upon.
35:03
The Michelin Guide and its anonymous inspectors have faced controversy and criticism for their influence over chefs and restaurants, with some chefs even taking their own lives after losing stars.
40:00
French chef Sebastian Bra requested that the Michelin Guide remove his stars after 20 years because he wanted to find serenity, freedom, and independence, and didn't want the stress of maintaining the stars, which is a rare occurrence as most chefs strive to obtain and keep Michelin stars.
44:55
The Michelin Guide has expanded globally, with Tokyo having the largest number of stars among its restaurants, and they have taken back stars from Jiro Sushi because the average person can no longer get a seat there.
49:56
The hosts discuss various topics including the Dyatlov pass mystery, a cute beaver named Teddy, and the origin of COVID-19.
Categories:
Society & Culture
