With over 200 nationalities and their respective cuisines, Dubai prides itself as a top culinary destination. Whether you are an avid gourmet looking for the finest of dining options or in search of authentic street flavors, this great city has it covered.
Over the years, some of the most celebrated chefs and restaurants have opened chic venues in Dubai. June 2022 will see the ultimate compliment to this culinary city with the launch of the coveted MICHELIN Guide Dubai.
The History
The first-ever MICHELIN Guide was the ingenious idea of French industrialists, Andre and Edouard Michelin. Producers of the finest automobile tires, the entrepreneur brothers created a guide across France, that would later extend to Europe and North Africa. Its first edition in the year 1900 included a list of restaurants, hotels, road maps, gas stations, and even instructions on how to change tires.
The motivation behind the concept was to encourage motorists to drive their cars to the listed restaurants. This would in turn mean more tire wear and increased demand for motor vehicles. Their plan not only worked wonderfully, but the guide has survived to the day as the ultimate legitimization for chefs and restaurants alike.
With a presence in 177 countries and over 124,000 employees, Michelin is today involved in a variety of industries, with its HQ in Clermont-Ferrand, France. They produce around 173 million tires a year.
The coveted list
To be a part of this most exclusive of guides, restaurants, and chefs must endure the rigorous inspection process of the anonymous MICHELIN inspectors. Bound by the age-old methodology, there are five golden criteria that will determine if a venue is worthy of a place in the guide. These are namely; Quality of the ingredients, the mastery of cooking, the harmony of flavors, the personality of the chef through the cuisine, and the consistency, which is judged not only for the menu but over a certain time period. This means multiple inspectors will be visiting the same venue to ensure the verdict is universally agreed upon.
The categories
While being part of the star rating at the MICHELIN Guide is the most anticipated event, the guide includes a range of reviews through an extensive system of distinctions. When it comes to the Stars, One MICHELIN Star is awarded to restaurants for “high-quality cooking that is worth a stop.” Two MICHELIN Stars for “excellent cooking that is worth a detour.” And Three MICHELIN Stars for “exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey.” The Dubai edition will also include the popular Bib Gourmand category, a much-respected distinction awarded to venues that provide value-for-money over three-course meals.
Why Dubai
Dubai’s great importance on the global culinary scene is something that could not be overlooked for much longer. Add a lot of enthusiasm from Dubai Tourism (DTCM) to the mix, and it all becomes reality.
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides said; “We are delighted to announce that Dubai will be joining the MICHELIN Guide family. Our team of inspectors is already in the field, in order to prepare the first selection of restaurants, which will be revealed in June.”
Standing in front of one of Dubai’s new landmarks, the Museum of the Future, Poullennec added; “We will be showcasing the best of Dubai’s gastronomy, to reflect not just the sophistication that the city is famed for, but also the wide diversity of cuisines that the city’s location and history provide.”
The man at the heart of making it all happen for Dubai, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Issam Kazim, added: “Already one of the world’s most popular destinations, this latest accolade for Dubai is also recognition of its emergence as a global gastronomy hub, inspired by the goal of our visionary leadership to make Dubai the world’s most sought-after destination and the best city to live and work in. With Dubai home to thousands of restaurants serving a variety of cuisines from fine dining to street food and talented Chefs, the MICHELIN Guide Dubai will provide a fresh perspective and new insights into the diversity, creativity, and multi-cultural nature of Dubai’s culinary offering. We are excited to discover the special selection for Dubai.”
The 35,000 copies of the first-ever guide sold as fast as escargot on the French Riviera back in 1900. The MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2022 will be the 36th destination and for now, only available digitally on the dedicated website https://guide.michelin.com as well as the MICHELIN Guide App, on iOS and Android.
