The Michelin star, the restaurant Oscar, probably needs no introduction to anyone who works in gastronomy (or just loves to eat). But even fewer people know about the recently introduced Green Star, and now we're telling you all about the new category.
The Green Star award was introduced in 2020 when the MICHELIN Guide France selection was launched and is now included in all the Guide selections. This Michelin Guide - will be awarded to restaurants that are already listed in the list and can serve as role models for sustainable gastronomy. In this way, they support the most committed restaurants, owners and their concrete initiatives in environmental thinking and self-sustainable kitchen management.
Did you know? The Michelin Green Star is superior to other Guide awards and can be awarded to any type of establishment recommended by the MICHELIN Guide.
Why was the prize created?
The Michelin Star was born out of the inspectors„ observations in the field, because a striking number of high-end places invest a lot of time, effort and money in sustainable dining, despite running a top kitchen. That's why guests should know about them, and in a prominent place, marked with an ”asterisk". These restaurants should be an inspiration to other restaurants, as well as to consumers, professionals and, in short, to social thinking. In fact, the aim was to inspire us all and make visible the importance of responsible thinking, which will make their image much more positive.
Which initiative can receive a Green Star Award?
Marking can come in different forms depending on the resources and solutions of the site. Our inspectors will look at all the environmentally conscious initiatives of the establishment, which demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainable gastronomy: from the origin of the products used to respect for seasonality. From the balance and composition of their menus, to the management of waste or restaurant resources, or even the training of their staff, it depends on whether they make their customers aware of the establishment's sustainable approach. There is no exact formula, it depends mostly on the inspectors who continue to arrive in secret.
How does the inspector even get to a particular place?
This time it is simpler than usual, as in principle only those places that are already in the Michelin Guide can receive the award. It is much harder to get there, but with the familiar fieldwork, secret „emissaries and scouts”, the Guide's offerings will continue to expand or change. So only those already on the magic list are eligible for the Green Star. They will be kept in constant contact with the restaurant chain. They are under constant testing and monitoring, if only to ensure that they continue to be worthy of inclusion on the list. After that, if they pay extra attention to their environment and their kitchen management, which the inspectors notice, they can be awarded a Green Star. Of course, this has to be submitted and approved by a strict committee. That's how it works, please!
How many Green Star restaurants are there already?
Today, just over 350 of the 15 000 or so restaurants recommended have been awarded a Green Star. The award is given to the most committed establishments that act as pioneers and role models in their region. At yesterday's event at the Millenáris Michelin Gala For the first time in Hungary, the Green Star was awarded to the Budapest-based SALT restaurant has been rewarded. No stranger to the profession, the restaurant run by Szilárd Tóth Restaurant, last year, they received their first Michelin star, which has now been awarded even higher recognition, and congratulations to them!
Full list of Michelin Guide Green Star restaurants can be accessed by clicking here.
Source : www.guide.michelin.com
