Restaurants lose Michelin stars when they fail to maintain the required high food quality standards, service, or dining experience.
If you think once a restaurant is a Michelin star, it’s always a star, you’re mistaken. Michelin inspectors revisit Michelin-starred restaurants to ensure their standards remain consistently high. If unsatisfied during these visits, they may strip the restaurant of its star.
But what makes such impeccable restaurants lose their stars?
This blog has the answers for both culinary professionals and diners.
Industry professionals can familiarise themselves with these reasons to maintain or regain a Michelin star. Diners can decide whether a restaurant that has lost its star is still worth a visit.
Why Restaurants Lose Michelin Star
Changes in Quality of Food
A restaurant could lose its star if it uses lower-quality ingredients, prepares dishes erratically, tables them poorly, or doesn’t keep the taste consistent.
But why would a Michelin-starred restaurant suddenly lower its quality? There can be many reasons:
- Business challenges with the supplier.
- Failure to get top-quality ingredients from suppliers.
- Entry of new incompetent chefs into the team.
- Resignation of the former Head Chef.
- Challenges to cutting down costs incurred in sourcing premium ingredients, maintaining the expensive culinary processes, or paying the chefs.
Decline in Service Standards
After gaining a Michelin Star, the restaurant’s service could end up becoming slower or inefficient due to the following reasons:
- Resignation of experienced staff members.
- The hiring of less trained employees.
- Superficial training for the new staff due to lack of time.
- Unplanned updates in the restaurant’s reservation system.
- Staff feeling overwhelmed due to a sudden rise in customer numbers, especially during peak times.
- The restaurant becomes unexpectedly busy and doesn’t adjust its staffing levels.
- Work stress to keep up with Michelin standards.
Inconsistency in Dining Experience
It can arise due to:
- Variability in service, i.e. one visit is flawless but another is marred by slow or unhelpful service.
- Changes in the décor or noise levels.
- Frequent revisions in the menu.
- Consistent unavailability of signature dishes.
- Erratic service times.
- Varying food presentation.
Changes in Restaurant Management
When a new manager or head chef takes over, they may bring their ideas and style. This change need not necessarily be positive.
For example, the new chef may want to slightly change the menu to bring in their style and heritage. This is quite natural. Even if the new dishes are good, they might not match what Michelin inspectors originally loved about the restaurant.
On the other side, a new manager may want to speed up service to increase the number of diners, but sadly resulting in rushed service or mistakes.
Alterations in Ambience
A Michelin awarded restaurant might change its ambience or concept to stay competitive or attract a different crowd. For example, they might update the décor or shift to casual dining.
Michelin inspectors awarded the star based on the original concept and atmosphere. If those elements change too much, the restaurant might no longer meet the high standards.
Issues with Hygiene
Premier restaurants can face cleanliness problems for the following reasons beyond their control:
- A sudden shortage of cleaning staff.
- Lack of stringent training for new staff members in stringent cleaning protocols.
- Breakdown of critical equipment like dishwashers or ventilation systems.
- Renovate or change the restaurant’s layout.
- Pest infestation from the nearby area.
- Unexpected contamination.
Impact of External Factors
Regional unrest, widespread illness, or economic conditions can affect a restaurant’s ability to retain its Michelin star.
- Political Instability
If the restaurant is located in areas that are facing protests, road closures or restricted access, it might attract fewer customers. This may limit the menu offerings.
- Health Crises
During the pandemic or an infection outbreak, restaurants may face temporary closures, reduce operating hours, or operate at reduced capacity. This can make the service inconsistent.
- Economic Low
During a recession, restaurants may have fewer customers. This can lead to cost-cutting measures. Consequently, it can affect the quality of ingredients and service.
- Supply Chain Disturbances
Economic challenges can affect supply chains. For example, if there’s a significant increase in food prices or a shortage of key ingredients, a restaurant might not be able to maintain the quality of its dishes.
Why Michelin-Starred Restaurants Face New Challenges After Their Rating
You might wonder why such issues would appear only after a restaurant earns a Michelin star. Here’s why:
- Increased Attention and Expectations
A Michelin star brings global attention. Diners and critics expect consistently high food quality and flawless service. Minor issues previously tolerated by loyal customers may now become major problems in the media.
- Surge in Customer Volume
A Michelin star often results in a sudden increase in customers. Restaurants may struggle with longer wait times, reduced service quality, or compromised food preparation if unprepared for the increase.
- Need for Additional Staff
Increased customer volume might require hiring more staff. If the restaurant doesn’t have the budget to take in more hires, its efficiency may suffer.
- Pressure and Stress on Staff
Maintaining a Michelin star takes a huge toll on the staff. Stress and anxiety may lead to mistakes, like incorrect orders.
Should You Visit a Michelin-Starred Restaurant After It Loses a Star?
Michelin starred restaurants are unquestionably special. People often travel far or book the table weeks in advance to enjoy their exceptional food.
So, after the restaurant loses its star, is it still worth visiting it?
Assess the Current Quality of Ingredients
Look at the restaurant’s menu to see if it mentions fresh or premium ingredients. Even without the star, the restaurant might still use high-quality ingredients.
Read Recent Reviews
Visit review sites like TripAdvisor or Google Reviews to see recent customer experiences. Look for common themes in these reviews to gauge current quality and service. For example, if recent reviews frequently mention excellent food or friendly service, it indicates the restaurant is still performing well.
Check for Your Preferences
If you enjoy a particular type of cuisine or dining atmosphere, check if the restaurant’s current offerings align with these preferences. If you previously enjoyed the restaurant’s food and atmosphere, it might still be a good choice.
Look for Changes
Check if the restaurant has made recent updates to its menu or décor. Menu changes might enhance your dining experience by offering fresh and exciting options. Improvements in the ambience or interior design can enhance your overall experience.
Weigh the Pros and Cons
A restaurant that has lost its Michelin star may offer benefits.
It might be less crowded. So, the wait time for the table may have been reduced. The reservation may have become quick. Also, the restaurant might be more affordable now, offering better value for your money.
Can a Restaurant Regain Its Michelin Star?
There have been cases of restaurants earning back their stars in subsequent years.
The Ledbury in London initially lost its star. The restaurant worked hard to update its menu and enhance the dining experience and earned back its Michelin star. A similar story is of Maison Pic in Valence, France.
These examples show that restaurants can reclaim their Michelin stars by:
- Ensuring every dish is top quality every time.
- Keeping staff skills up-to-date.
- Making improvements based on reviews from diners and critics.
- Keeping the restaurant clean and following hygiene rules.
- Adding creative dishes to refresh the menu.
- Providing great service every time.
- Addressing issues that caused them to lose the star.
Michelin Star Restaurant in Ubud
Looking for a Michelin Star restaurant experience while visiting Ubud? Apéritif fine dining Restaurant often collaborates with Michelin Star guest chefs to offer visitors to Ubud and Bali an upscale and innovative dining experience.
