French chef asks to be stripped of three Michelin stars

Post by hashmal » Thu, Sep 21, 2017, 6:40 AM UTC

kodfodrasz wrote: post #40

chongli wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

xenophobic undertone It's another facet of gentrification. A restaurant owner may really love having a small, local clientele of regulars and a very good atmosphere due to that fact. Then one day he gets awarded a Michelin star and suddenly thousands of tourists descend on his place and swamp it with unwanted business. Is it xenophobic to suggest he might prefer to go back to the previous situation?

Also, if it was xenophobic. So what? Doesn't a businessman have the right to choose who to do business with? I believe free trade is a good thing, but seems like many americans mistook free trade for gunboat diplomacy (see opening of Japan). In my understanding free trade is free as in free will: both parties voluntarily take part in the exchange of goods and services. Also one can be patriotic in a way that he/she (…

Post by alkonaut » Thu, Sep 21, 2017, 7:11 AM UTC

dieterrams wrote: post #44

ue_ wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>“Japanese food was created here, and only Japanese know it,” Mr. Kadowaki said in an interview. “How can a bunch of foreigners show up and tell us what is good or bad?” I feel like this has a xenophobic undertone to it; nobody's showing up anywhere, it's a guide which attempts to find good restaurants and food around the globe; what makes the Japanese in his view so specially qualified to judge the food? If the food…

Xenophobia could be part of it, but there’s probably an element of disdain (possibly deserved) for people who just chase Michelin restaurants but don’t have the palate necessary to really appreciate the food. An exaggerated analogy: someone who’s never had wine buys a bottle recommended by a highly respected wine expert, tries it, and goes, “Oh, that really is good!”

Post by piva00 » Thu, Sep 21, 2017, 7:42 AM UTC

hudbuddy wrote: post #47

nimchimpsky wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> So what? Lots of people don't like xenophobia. > have the right to choose who to do business with? Ah here we go. Like the hoteliers who don't allow gay people to stay ?

The only other option is to government-mandate that, right? Not saying there aren't other unfortunate consequences of allowing a business owner to choose who they serve, but I'd say the larger problem is just that people can be... well... humans aren't great. However, putting the power in the hands of the law probably doesn't fix that. Ultimately, why would you want to support someone who doesn't want you to be there…

Post by molf » Thu, Sep 21, 2017, 7:55 AM UTC

Grue3 wrote: post #56

wavefunction wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My first inclination is "Why doesn't he just ignore Michelin" but then I realize that a poor ranking in Michelin could do real damage to his business beyond the segment of his guests that is aware of Michelin ratings. Thanks for the translation by the way.

Pretty sure you can't have a "poor Michelin ranking". The restaurants that are judged poorly are not included in the listing at all.

Post by ousta » Thu, Sep 21, 2017, 8:06 AM UTC

Grue3 wrote: post #56

wavefunction wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My first inclination is "Why doesn't he just ignore Michelin" but then I realize that a poor ranking in Michelin could do real damage to his business beyond the segment of his guests that is aware of Michelin ratings. Thanks for the translation by the way.

Pretty sure you can't have a "poor Michelin ranking". The restaurants that are judged poorly are not included in the listing at all.