The Michelin Guide story: why a tyre company decides which restaurants get stars
Michelin's secret inspectors: why they pay for every meal
Michelin inspectors eat in fine restaurants for a living. They book under other names, and they are asked to keep their job a secret from almost everyone. Why does a restaurant guide need so much secrecy?
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In the 1920s, Michelin already sends "mystery diners" to eat in restaurants without saying who they are. In 1933, it makes this a real job: inspector, paid by Michelin to eat in restaurants and judge them for the guide. Imagine a young woman, Miva, who loves food and gets this job.
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Now picture the chef. A star can bring diners from far away. So if the chef knew an inspector was at table 4, that table would get the best fish, the best waiter and the warmest smile.
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