The most prestigious culinary awards: what are they and how to achieve them?

In the world of fine dining, a prestigious award is more than a badge of honour — it’s an affirmation of culinary excellence, innovation, and dedication to the craft. This is why for many restaurants and chefs, achieving recognition from an esteemed guide or award body is the ultimate career milestone. 

Awards like Michelin stars, AA Rosettes, and others serve as trusted indicators of quality, artistry, and experience, each with its own distinct criteria and focus. But while these accolades are renowned, the process behind earning them remains shrouded in mystery.

Some focus on classic luxury, while others reward cutting-edge creativity, regional authenticity, or exceptional value. While Michelin stars are awarded only after multiple anonymous visits assessing consistency and skill, other accolades, like the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, capture industry trends through an annual voting panel of culinary experts. 

Each of these awards emphasises different qualities, from ingredient quality and technical execution to service excellence and innovation – which is why understanding the nuances of these awards is crucial for restauranters and chefs. 

Michelin Stars

The Michelin Guide is arguably the world’s most prestigious culinary accolade. Launched in 1900 by the French tire company, Michelin, the guide initially aimed to encourage motorists to travel more and explore fine dining across the country. Today, a Michelin star remains the ultimate mark of quality and prestige for restaurants.

Michelin stars range from one to three, with one star indicating “a very good restaurant,” two stars representing “excellent cooking that is worth a detour,” and three stars symbolising “exceptional cuisine worth a special journey.” 

Anonymous inspectors visit and evaluate restaurants based on five criteria: quality of the ingredients, mastery of cooking techniques, harmony of flavours, chef’s personality, and consistency across visits.

To be eligible for Michelin stars, a restaurant must demonstrate a high level of excellence in food preparation and service. There’s no application process—restaurants are visited anonymously by inspectors. Those aiming for a Michelin star should focus on sourcing top-quality ingredients, showcasing culinary innovation, and maintaining “exceptional” consistency.

Michelin inspectors use a precise, secretive scoring system and return to the restaurant multiple times to ensure consistency before awarding stars. In addition to stars, Michelin offers the Bib Gourmand distinction for exceptional value and the Michelin Plate for restaurants that offer good food but haven’t achieved a star.

AA Rosettes

The AA Rosette award, introduced in the UK in 1956, is given by the Automobile Association (AA) and is regarded as one of Britain’s most distinguished dining honours. Unlike the Michelin star, AA Rosettes reward not only high-end restaurants but also well-performing local eateries.

The AA awards rosettes on a scale from one to five, with three to five rosettes indicating the highest calibre of culinary expertise. Inspectors award the rosettes based on visits, and anonymous reviews are conducted to ensure impartiality.

Restaurants don’t apply directly for AA Rosettes, instead, AA’s food inspectors decide whether to review a restaurant based on its reputation and word-of-mouth endorsements. To earn three rosettes or more, a restaurant must be nationally recognised, showcasing outstanding culinary skills, consistency, and innovation.

The scoring system for AA Rosettes focuses on ingredient quality, seasonality, flavour combination, presentation, and overall dining experience. Consistency is vital across all levels, and inspectors may revisit a restaurant to confirm the quality before issuing additional rosettes.

Relais and Châteaux

Relais and Châteaux is a globally respected association of individually owned and operated luxury hotels and gourmet restaurants. Becoming a part of this prestigious network denotes an “exceptional” commitment to fine dining and hospitality.

Unlike Michelin Stars and AA Rosettes, restaurants and hotels must apply for membership, and Relais ans Châteaux conducts in-depth inspections to assess each establishment’s quality. Membership is reviewed every few years to maintain high standards.

Relais and Châteaux requires a commitment to excellence not only in cuisine but also in service, design, and overall experience. Applicants should emphasise local ingredients, seasonal menus, and unique cultural elements that define their cuisine.

The inspectors assess applicants on factors like creativity, quality of ingredients, technique, and the sense of place conveyed through the menu. Membership in Relais and Châteaux signifies an endorsement of a restaurant’s elegance, attention to detail, and hospitality.

Gault and Millau

Originating in France, Gault & Millau is another highly regarded restaurant guide, known for its “toques” (chef’s hats) rating system, which ranges from one to five. Unlike Michelin, Gault and Millau places more emphasis on the creativity and originality of the chef.

Restaurants are scored out of 20 points, with five toques indicating a score above 17. Only those with innovative and outstanding dishes earn four or five toques, while lower ratings indicate respectable, good-quality restaurants.

Any restaurant can potentially be reviewed by Gault and Millau, and like Michelin, it employs anonymous inspectors. The guide values individuality, culinary creativity, and a chef’s distinct personality.

Points are awarded based on creativity, taste, presentation, and execution. Gault and Millau also considers ambiance and service, as these are part of the dining experience that contributes to a restaurant’s rating.

Forbes Travel Guide Stars

Forbes Travel Guide offers luxury star ratings not only for restaurants but also for spas and hotels worldwide. Known for its meticulous standards, Forbes awards establishments between one and five stars based on service quality and luxury.

Anonymous inspectors visit each establishment, evaluating over 900 criteria, from service and ambiance to food presentation. The highest accolade, the Five-Star rating, is reserved for venues offering exceptional quality across all dimensions of the dining experience.

Forbes inspects only select high-end restaurants, and it emphasises service, with around 75% of its score based on the quality of service. The remaining 25% assesses the quality of the food, ambiance, and overall dining experience.

Forbes inspectors undergo rigorous training to ensure their assessments are fair and consistent. A five-star rating from Forbes is a signal of top-notch hospitality, attention to detail, and unparalleled service.

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants

Known as one of the most prestigious international restaurant rankings, the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list is published annually by the UK-based William Reed Business Media. 

Unlike Michelin stars, which rely on anonymous inspections, the World’s 50 Best is determined by an influential voting panel, making it a snapshot of current culinary trends and innovation.

The panel of over 1,000 culinary experts — including chefs, critics, and food writers — votes to determine the list. Each panellist votes for their top 10 restaurants, resulting in a ranking that reflects a global perspective on dining excellence.

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants recognises establishments worldwide, highlighting both fine dining and cutting-edge cuisine. Since it doesn’t require a specific rating application, the list is open to restaurants that make an impact on the culinary scene. Chefs looking to be considered should focus on delivering a “memorable” experience that resonates beyond local dining.

Votes are based on recent dining experiences, which keeps the list dynamic and reflective of current culinary talent. This also means that the list may vary significantly from year to year as new restaurants emerge and gain recognition.

Securing a luxury accolade like a Michelin star, AA rosettes, or becoming part of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants can elevate a restaurant’s reputation, drawing diners from all around the world. 

For aspiring establishments, it’s essential to understand the award’s specific criteria, ensure high standards in both food and service, and maintain a unique personality in their culinary offerings.

While the journey toward earning such accolades is not easy, these awards offer a pathway to worldwide acclaim, attracting both loyal diners and culinary tourists eager to experience the best of global cuisine.