Music City is full of stars, but the one that’s coming is a bit different than the rest.
The Michelin Guide is expanding to Tennessee and preparing to award restaurants in the state’s major cities and small towns with one, two, or three stars. This marks the first time the guide will launch a regional selection since its North American debut in 2005.
All selections will be announced later this year. In fact, Michelin Guide Inspectors are already perusing eateries all over the state. The anonymous inspectors make dinner reservations in secret, pay for all of their meals to ensure they pick the highest quality food, and rate the restaurants on five criteria:
- Quality products
- Harmony of flavors
- Mastery of cooking techniques
- Reflection of the chef’s voice and personality in the cuisine
- Consistency between each visit and the menu, as inspectors visit multiple times
The Michelin Guide was originally started to encourage culinary tourism — thus driving the need for more tires. Once picks are announced, Tennessee will join a host of other destinations with Michelin Guides in place, such as New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., California, Florida, and Texas.
Which Nashville restaurants do you think deserve a Michelin star? Let us know.
