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What does a Michelin Star mean?

Restaurants can be awarded up to three Michelin Stars, each showing higher level of quality than the previous.

HOUSTON — The famed Michelin Guide will soon include a Texas edition and that has many Texans wondering what a Michelin Star actually means.

According to the guide's website, the stars are awarded to restaurants based on these five criteria, verbatim:

  • The quality of the ingredients
  • The harmony of flavors
  • The mastery of techniques
  • The personality of the chef as expressed through their cuisine
  • Consistency both across the menu and over time

Restaurants can be awarded up to three Michelin Stars, each showing a higher level of quality than the previous. 

According to the guide, a one-star restaurant uses top-quality ingredients with distinct flavors and dishes are consistently high quality. 

A second star is awarded when the personality and talent of the chef are apparent in the food.

Lastly, a third star signifies food made by chefs at the "peak of their profession," according to the guide.

"Their cooking is elevated to an art form and some of their dishes are destined to become classics," the guide explains on its website.

So who decides what restaurants will get stars? The Michelin Guide employs full-time anonymous "Michelin Inspectors" who have worked in the restaurant and hospitality business to eat at various restaurants and decide which ones are deserving of stars. Stars can be awarded to any style of restaurant, not just formal eateries.

The guide emphasizes that the stars are awarded to restaurants, not individual chefs. So, if a head chef leaves a Michelin Star restaurant and maintains the excellent quality of its food, the guide will not remove the star.

We'll find out which Texas restaurants earned a star at an event Monday evening at 7:30 p.m. at 713 Music Hall. KHOU 11 will stream the event to KHOU 11+., which is FREE on Roku, AppleTV and FireTV.

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