7 answers
Daniel
Student
Bronxville, New York
1
Question
Asked
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How much does a Michelin star chef make on average?
I am in the eleventh grade.
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7 answers
Lynn Miller
Private and Personal Chef, Food Stylist, Recipe Developer
12
Answers
Cold Spring, New York
Updated
Lynn’s Answer
It's a common misconception that CHEFS are awarded Michelin stars. They are not, the restaurants where they work are.
There are only 142 3-star Michelin rated restaurants in the entire world. Some, but not all, Michelin rated restaurants are owned and operated by the Executive chefs though I believe it's a minority. Even then, these chefs are answerable to investors and the salary they make depends on the business's profitability.
The quality of the food and the menu is obviously a big factor in whether a restaurant attains this prestigious award, but not the only one. The quality of the wine list, service, ambiance, cutlery, glassware, dishes, noise, lighting, music, in addition to the menu contribute Michelin critics' determination of the award.
Many upscale restaurant kitchens post photos of people they suspect of being Michelin critics so that service people might know if they are visiting and pass the information on to the chef. Though at that point, there is little a chef of that calibre would change in the moment to try to improve his score. To have risen to that level in the first place, a chef would have absolute confidence in his taste and skills, in addition to confidence in the kitchen crew, service team, and sommelier on any given day they operate.
If you want to get a sense of what upscale cooks and chefs make, check out the job offerings on any of the recruitment sites like Indeed, Ziprecruiter, Monster and others. Search for chef positions in large foodie cities like New York, San Francisco, etc. You'll find that even the most acclaimed restaurants pay their chefs de partie somewhere between $17-30 per hour-certainly no where near what one would need to meet the cost of living in these locations.
There are only 142 3-star Michelin rated restaurants in the entire world. Some, but not all, Michelin rated restaurants are owned and operated by the Executive chefs though I believe it's a minority. Even then, these chefs are answerable to investors and the salary they make depends on the business's profitability.
The quality of the food and the menu is obviously a big factor in whether a restaurant attains this prestigious award, but not the only one. The quality of the wine list, service, ambiance, cutlery, glassware, dishes, noise, lighting, music, in addition to the menu contribute Michelin critics' determination of the award.
Many upscale restaurant kitchens post photos of people they suspect of being Michelin critics so that service people might know if they are visiting and pass the information on to the chef. Though at that point, there is little a chef of that calibre would change in the moment to try to improve his score. To have risen to that level in the first place, a chef would have absolute confidence in his taste and skills, in addition to confidence in the kitchen crew, service team, and sommelier on any given day they operate.
If you want to get a sense of what upscale cooks and chefs make, check out the job offerings on any of the recruitment sites like Indeed, Ziprecruiter, Monster and others. Search for chef positions in large foodie cities like New York, San Francisco, etc. You'll find that even the most acclaimed restaurants pay their chefs de partie somewhere between $17-30 per hour-certainly no where near what one would need to meet the cost of living in these locations.
Madison Soares
Sous chef
2
Answers
Augusta, Georgia
Updated
Madison’s Answer
I'm a sous chef and I make $15 an hour, usually head chef and/or Michelin star chef would make salaries depending on where they live or how much the restaurant itself is worth/does in sales. There is only one Michelin startle chef in my area and she owns her own restaurant now, but she told she made upwards of 50,000 a year with one week of paid vacation and bonuses.
Dwayne Joseph
Executive chef
1
Answer
Castro Valley, California
Updated
Dwayne’s Answer
Really depends of the size and scale of the restaurant. Some Michelin star restaurants only have 10 employees some have 50.
Howard Pierceall CEC, CCE WCEC
Chef, Chef Instructor, Business owner
61
Answers
Sun City, Arizona
Updated
Howard’s Answer
Many top-notch chefs with Michelin stars have their own restaurants. The amount they earn relies on the restaurant's success. Good management plays a crucial role, too. Factors like food expenses, staff wages, inventory, rent, purchases, and utilities all contribute to a thriving business. A prosperous restaurant typically has a profit margin of 5 to 10%. So, if a restaurant makes $1,000,000 in gross income, the profit could reach $100,000, provided all costs are managed effectively. Keep up the great work, and success will follow!
Renata De Paula
Cook
1
Answer
New York, New York
Updated
Renata’s Answer
Hello Daniel! Embarking on a journey in a Michelin Star restaurant, particularly in bustling cities like New York, you could earn around $15 to $17 an hour. As you gather more experience and time in the field, there's a great potential for your earnings to increase. Keep going, your future is bright!
Joffrey Villa
9
Answers
Updated
Joffrey’s Answer
It very depends, size of the restaurant popularity, and your experience! where is it too.
I’m a French executive pastry chef with 16yrs of xp and I recently got bumped to 75k/ year
Work hard
Have faith and passion in your job
I’m a French executive pastry chef with 16yrs of xp and I recently got bumped to 75k/ year
Joffrey recommends the following next steps:
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3844
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Daniel from Bronxville, NY! This is Jim, reaching out from the sunny Gold Coast in Australia. I've received your query about the average earnings of a Michelin star chef.
Michelin stars are highly esteemed awards given to top-notch restaurants by the globally influential Michelin Guide. The guide bestows up to three stars, judging the quality of food, service, and the overall dining experience. Therefore, chefs who attain Michelin stars are held in high regard and typically earn more.
The average income of a Michelin star chef can differ greatly, influenced by factors like experience, location, reputation, and the nature of the establishment they're associated with. There's no set salary for these chefs, and their earnings can vary widely. However, it's generally suggested that a Michelin star chef's annual salary falls between $70,000 and $150,000. This range can be influenced by several factors:
1. **Experience:** Chefs with more years under their belt in the culinary industry usually earn more. Those who have climbed the ladder, mastering different cuisines, are likely to draw higher pay.
2. **Location:** The restaurant's geographical location significantly affects a Michelin star chef's salary. Restaurants in big cities or wealthy areas typically have higher costs and can afford to pay their chefs more.
3. **Reputation:** A chef's standing and history in the culinary world can greatly affect their earning potential. Chefs who have secured multiple Michelin stars or other prestigious awards are likely to be sought after and can negotiate higher salaries.
4. **Type of Establishment:** The kind of place a Michelin star chef works in can also influence their salary. Fine dining restaurants with Michelin stars often charge high prices for their meals, enabling them to pay their staff more.
5. **Additional Income Sources:** Many Michelin star chefs earn extra income through various means, including cookbook sales, TV appearances, brand endorsements, consulting work, and owning their own restaurants.
Remember, these figures are averages and can differ significantly. Some Michelin star chefs may earn well above the mentioned range, particularly those who have gained celebrity status or own successful restaurants.
**Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or Domain Names Used:**
1. **Forbes** - "How Much Do Michelin-Starred Chefs Make?" - https://www.forbes.com/sites/ceciliarodriguez/2019/11/26/how-much-do-michelin-starred-chefs-make/?sh=2a9d8e2f5c4c
2. **The Guardian** - "How much does a Michelin star really matter for a restaurant's bottom line?" - https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2014/oct/01/how-much
Stay blessed, Daniel.
Michelin stars are highly esteemed awards given to top-notch restaurants by the globally influential Michelin Guide. The guide bestows up to three stars, judging the quality of food, service, and the overall dining experience. Therefore, chefs who attain Michelin stars are held in high regard and typically earn more.
The average income of a Michelin star chef can differ greatly, influenced by factors like experience, location, reputation, and the nature of the establishment they're associated with. There's no set salary for these chefs, and their earnings can vary widely. However, it's generally suggested that a Michelin star chef's annual salary falls between $70,000 and $150,000. This range can be influenced by several factors:
1. **Experience:** Chefs with more years under their belt in the culinary industry usually earn more. Those who have climbed the ladder, mastering different cuisines, are likely to draw higher pay.
2. **Location:** The restaurant's geographical location significantly affects a Michelin star chef's salary. Restaurants in big cities or wealthy areas typically have higher costs and can afford to pay their chefs more.
3. **Reputation:** A chef's standing and history in the culinary world can greatly affect their earning potential. Chefs who have secured multiple Michelin stars or other prestigious awards are likely to be sought after and can negotiate higher salaries.
4. **Type of Establishment:** The kind of place a Michelin star chef works in can also influence their salary. Fine dining restaurants with Michelin stars often charge high prices for their meals, enabling them to pay their staff more.
5. **Additional Income Sources:** Many Michelin star chefs earn extra income through various means, including cookbook sales, TV appearances, brand endorsements, consulting work, and owning their own restaurants.
Remember, these figures are averages and can differ significantly. Some Michelin star chefs may earn well above the mentioned range, particularly those who have gained celebrity status or own successful restaurants.
**Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or Domain Names Used:**
1. **Forbes** - "How Much Do Michelin-Starred Chefs Make?" - https://www.forbes.com/sites/ceciliarodriguez/2019/11/26/how-much-do-michelin-starred-chefs-make/?sh=2a9d8e2f5c4c
2. **The Guardian** - "How much does a Michelin star really matter for a restaurant's bottom line?" - https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2014/oct/01/how-much
Stay blessed, Daniel.