Michelin is not just a tire brand; something so much bigger!

Michelin (full name in French: SCA Compagnie Générale des Établissements Michelin) is a company headquartered in the Auvergne region of France and mainly produces tires. It was founded on 28 May 1888 by brothers Édouard and André Michelin. Apart from the Michelin brand, it also has the brands B.F.Goodrich, Taurus, Riken, Strial, Kormoran and Uniroyal.

History of the Michelin Star

In 1889, brothers Andre and Edouard Michelin founded the Michelin Tire Company in France. 11 years later they published a free road guide for French drivers. In the Michelin Guide, they included maps, hotel and gas station listings, and useful information for tire repair. At that time, there were a total of 3,000 cars in France. The forward-thinking brothers thought that the guide they prepared to support French automobile tourism would increase tire consumption.

In the years that followed, Michelin Guides were also produced for many other countries in Europe. By the 1920s, the directory began to include comments by anonymous people. A few years later, Michelin began using a rating system ranging from one to three stars and ranking restaurants.

Publication of the guide was suspended during the World Wars I and II. However, after the war was over, the Allied Powers requested that the last edition, the 1839 French guide, be reprinted. Because the road and traffic signs were destroyed during the occupation. The Michelin Guide was the most up-to-date resource available. The Michelin Guide has benefited in the reorganization of French cities.

What does the Michelin Star mean?

The Michelin star is used solely to make a judgment about the quality of the food, regardless of other important elements of the dining experience (restaurant decoration, number of waiters, etc.).

One star = Restaurant serving very good food in its category.

Two stars = Restaurant with good food worth diverting a bit.

Three stars = Restaurant with exceptional food that could be a reason for a special trip.

The small cutlery icon known as the “Kuver” is used to indicate the comfort, decor and formality level, which are the other elements of the restaurant. The black cutlery icon is simple, the red one means it provides a superior experience.

There is another category besides one, two and three stars. These starless Michelin restaurants use the “Bib Gourmand” icon. Good food and reasonable prices are sought in these restaurants. In this category of restaurants, the approximate cost of a glass of wine and a two-course meal is $40 or less.

Criteria

There are 5 basic criteria that have been used since 1936: quality of ingredients, mastery of preparation and cooking, creativity, value for money and stability in quality standards. In addition, the harmony of the general ambiance with the menu, service quality, cleanliness, the chef's ownership of the restaurant are the features sought in restaurants to be awarded a Michelin star.

Michelin Tire Man Mascot

The rubber man's name is Bibendum. It was designed by the brothers Edouard and André Michelin, the founders of the company. Edouard, one of the founders of the company, noticed a pile of tires at an auto show in Lyon in 1894 and told his brother André that it looked like a human without arms and legs.

A few years after this event, André meets a printmaker named Marius Rossillon. There is a drawing of this graphic artist: A man holding a glass says in Latin "Nunc est bibendum" (now it's time to drink). André asks the graphic designer to replace this man with Michelin's tire man. Instead of the glass in your hand, have broken glass and nails. The following texts are added below: “C'est à dire: À votre santé. Le pneu Michelin boit l'obstacle.” That is, Michelin tires destroy all obstacles.

Over the years many artists have painted Bibendum differently. Today, the rubber man who has given up beer and cigars has a more athletic build. Its last appearance came to life in 1998, the company's 100th anniversary.