World News for Students of English

24-01-2022 07:00

Michelin, the French company famous for putting tires on cars for the last 130 years, is the same company that names the world’s finest dining establishments. What is the connection between perfectly cooked filet mignon and rubber?

In 1900, brothers André and Édouard Michelin were looking to grow business for their tire company. The idea was simple with a book with on-the-road information including where to get gas and a list of places to eat. More places to visit equaled more cars on the road and more tires sold.

In 1926, Michelin started to give stars to restaurants to rate the best spots. They gave stars with a team of anonymous inspectors. Later, the company created a hierarchy, handing out up to three starts for the best restaurants. Today, a restaurant gets three stars for excellent cuisine that deserves a special journey.

Inspectors consider five parts: the quality of the food, the mastery of flavor and cooking techniques, the personality of the chef, the value for money, and the similarity between visits. Michelin guide rates thousands of restaurants in more than 30 regions across three continents.

Difficult words: filet mignon (a small, tender piece of beef), hierarchy (a system in which people or things are put at various levels or ranks according to their importance or quality), cuisine (a fine food).

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