Appetites for 2018’s crop of Michelin stars are waiting to be whetted in London, where the winners will be announced at a live event at the BFI IMAX cinema.
The event, which is billed as a cinematic experience, will explore the complex relationship between gastronomy and cinema, something that has continued to be a constant source of inspiration and a cultural touchstone for many - much like the Michelin guides.
Speaking last month, Rebecca Burr, director of the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland, said that this year’s results would hint at the direction of gastronomy today and convey the "ever-evolving culinary scene" across the UK and Ireland.
She added that the event and venue would be unique, offering guests something truly jaw-dropping.
The event coincides with the release of the 2019 edition of the guide, which will be available on the 5 October.
In an ever-evolving industry, rocked numerous times a year by new innovations, trends, fads or diet changes, the Michelin guide has remained the stalwart directory for all that is truly great in the world of gastronomy.
Burr noted this, saying: "We’re proud of the Michelin Guide’s rich heritage, but we are also proud that it is more relevant than ever."
The Michelin guide itself started in 1900, when the French car tyre manufacturing company, Michelin, run by brothers Édouard and André Michelin, published their guide for French motorists. This included maps, instructions for car tyre repair and listings for hotels across France, among other practical tips.
This soon grew to a series, including Algeria, Tunisia, Belgium and other countries and eventually came to be the book of note on where to eat and stay while abroad. They introduced their famous star ratings in 1926.
Surely today's ceremony will include a tribute to Joël Robuchon, the man who received the most Michelin stars for his restaurants in the history of the guide, who passed away in August after a long battle with cancer.
