“The Michelin Guides are consistent; one star in Dubai equals one star in Paris” Michelin Guides’ Gwendal Poullennec debunks urban legends surrounding the iconic restaurant guide which just announced its Dubai chapter
The Michelin Guides recently announced the launch of a new Dubai guide (the first Michelin Guide in the Middle East) in June 2022. Hashem and his co-host Samantha Wood aka FooDiva sit down with Gwendal Poullennec, the Guides’ International Director. Over coffee and Shakshouka, Hashem and Samantha ask a tight-lipped Poullennec their most pressing questions to contextualize and debunk some of the most common urban legends surrounding this heritage ‘award’ which dates back to 1900. Among them: what are the criteria of awarding a star; are Michelin inspectors all tall and skinny; how many meals do inspectors eat every day and what makes Dubai’s culinary scene stand out? Links:- Episode: MENA’s 50Best restaurants with Claudia de Brito and Samantha Wood
- The Michelin Guide is coming to Dubai
- FooDiva: Is Dubai ready for Michelin (2012)
- The Man Who Changed the Way We Eat: Craig Claiborne and the American Food Renaissance
- WSJ: Is Dubai the next great food destination
- FooDiva: There is no such thing as a Michelin Chef (2017)
- Episode: Debra Kletter on creating magical ‘food experiences’ for her clients
- Episode: FooDiva AKA Samantha Wood on her restaurant review process