- The International Kitchen
- Michelin Star Experiences
Our Best Michelin-Star Food Tours
Cooking Under the Tuscan Sun: Best Food & Wine Tours in Cortona 2025
Testimonials From Happy Travellers
What Is a Michelin Star Rating?
The Michelin Guide is the oldest European restaurant and hotel guide, and it has been rating places to eat and stay in Europe for over one hundred years. Although initially, Michelin would only award one star to the restaurants it recommended, it now has a rating system of one to three stars, with three being the highest rating a restaurant can receive. So if you hear of someone talking about a “five-star” restaurant, be assured they are not talking about Michelin stars! A cooking class or dining experience at a Michelin Star restaurant is always one of the most memorable parts of any foodie vacation in Europe, with dish after dish of delicious cuisine, sometimes innovative, sometimes deceptively simple, wowing. your taste buds. Some clients worry that taking cooking classes with the chefs of a Michelin-star restaurant will be overwhelming, but our experience is that these chefs are passionate about the food they create and eager to share this passion with culinary travelers on our cooking vacations and food tours.
What to Expect of Our Michelin Star Experiences
Some of our Michelin Star experiences include multiple cooking classes at Michelin Star restaurants with their teams of chefs. Whether in Tuscany, Umbria, or the Amalfi Coast, you can stay in the hotel associated with the restaurant and enjoy a series of intensive, hands-on cooking courses delving into the best of Italian gastronomy on these Italy cooking vacations. Other cooking vacations and culinary tours might include only one class with a Michelin Star chef, juxtaposed with other hands-on cooking classes in other locations. In this way you can compare how the cooking works in a Michelin Star restaurant versus a mom-and-pop trattoria or even a chef’s private home. Still other trips include one or more dining experiences at Michelin Star restaurants in which you can explore course after course of your destination’s finest cuisine.
FAQ about Michelin-Star Cooking Vacations
-
What does Michelin star mean in food?
A Michelin star represents the pinnacle of culinary excellence, awarded by anonymous inspectors who evaluate restaurants based on five criteria: quality of ingredients, mastery of techniques, harmony of flavors, personality of the chef expressed through the cuisine, and consistency between visits. One star indicates “a very good restaurant in its category,” two stars mean “excellent cooking, worth a detour,” and three stars signify “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.” These coveted awards are considered the highest honor in the culinary world.
-
What city has the most Michelin stars?
Tokyo holds the record for the most Michelin-starred restaurants in a single city, with over 200 starred establishments. Paris follows with approximately 118 starred restaurants, while Kyoto and Osaka also rank highly. In Europe, cities like London, Barcelona, and Rome have significant concentrations of Michelin-starred establishments. Each city offers its own unique interpretation of culinary excellence, from traditional to avant-garde cuisine.
-
Do Michelin stars expire?
Yes, Michelin stars are not permanent accolades. Restaurants are re-evaluated annually by anonymous inspectors, and stars can be awarded or removed based on current performance. This annual review process ensures that standards remain consistently high and keeps chefs motivated to maintain excellence. Some restaurants have maintained their stars for decades, while others might lose them due to changes in quality, chef departures, or even restaurant concept changes.
