As new Michelin guide to France comes out, chefs hold their breaths
The Michelin guide to France is the original of its restaurant publications, and still carries a lot of weight in the gastronomic nation
Chefs across France are waiting for one of the most exciting and dreaded moments of the year: publication of the new annual guide from Michelin with its highly coveted stars.
The famous red bible for gastronomes still makes and breaks cooking careers, despite increasing competition from rival food lists – from World’s 50 Best Restaurants to La Liste – and the rise of Instagram influencers with their younger online followers.
The 2025 Michelin edition’s unveiling on March 31 promises to celebrate kitchens outside Paris, with new talents uncovered “in all regions in mainland France”, Michelin guide boss Gwendal Poullennec said.
At stake are not only the reputations of chefs and hundreds of businesses that depend on the guide for visibility, but also France’s image as a fine food destination.
“The level of the world food scene is constantly rising but I must say that France is holding its own and is part of this dynamic with a growing number of starred restaurants each year,” Poullennec added.
What began in France 125 years ago is now a global business that sends its undercover tasters to restaurants around the world, producing editions for around 50 destinations.