Jump to content
  • Brian
    Brian

    The Michelin Demise...

    So sad to see that our warning that worse was to come is very much coming true but this news that the iconic Waterside at Bray has made substantial losses is much more than a "sign of the times.

    Last month we suggested that this was the start of a major change in British cookery with the losses of Le Gavroche and also L’Ortolan we are seeing the demise of major Iconic Michelin houses before our very eyes and we predicted more to follow.

    At the heart of it all is the very model of Michelin dining and yet once again the blame is laid at staff costs?

    Those that eat at 3 star Restaurants care little about what goes on behind the scenes can easily afford the increases set to achieve the highest of culinary standards.  That chefs and waiters demand the equivalent in renumeration and are  blamed for the operational failure is appalling and insulting,and proof that these restaurants have grown famous on the backs of cheap labour.

    The Michelin model has been broken for many years and whilst they dole out stars left, right and centre to restaurants that simply don’t deserve that level of accolade then so the market becomes saturated with Michelins on every street corner ( 3 in Bray alone )

    The fact is that those that dine Ala Michelin have an enormous choice as never before and in many cases much of it being the same and we believe the mystique and aura of visiting a Michelin house has become the thing for one off dining events as those of HNW can easily afford to have their own Michelin level chefs working for them in their own homes.

    Many Michelin level CDPs, Sous and Head Chefs have left the Michelin circuit in recent years to opt for more lucrative work in Private home as and Yachts.  Those that have “real “money care not to dine with the masses but now seek their very own level of cuisine and have very much abandoned the social circuit that saw them eating daily at famous restaurants.

    The Michelin “cash cow “is drying up fast and the Roux’s know it and so does everyone else.

    These businesses eat cash at an alarming rate and constantly need investment to keep their standards and the truth is that they are very much all struggling to keep up with a falling market.

    See our articles in June 2022 and you will see that the demise of Michelin is gathering pace, very much as we predicted.

    Simply, those that can afford Michelin are looking for something else, they are bored and seek another thrill, leaving everyone to pick up the pieces but the real blame is for Michelin itself as it is they who have devalued the brand and have sought recognition by lowering the standards set by themselves around the world ( apart from France ) and it is they that must ultimately answer for all of this. The truth is that there are Restaurants in the UK with Michelin stars that would not get a star in France and many 2 stars Restaurants that would only obtain 1 star in France and its this undeniable fault that is at the bottom of the demise of Michelin in the UK

    If Michelin UK is to survive then the bar must be raised higher and they must seek to employ the very best at the very best rates,without compromise.


     




    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    There are no comments to display.


×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.