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Café Inundated With Guests After Accidentally Being Awarded A Michelin Star

Café Inundated With Guests After Accidentally Being Awarded A Michelin Star

Looks like a decent joint to me.

Patrick Hulbert

Patrick Hulbert

Much like a glowing review from Elijah Quashie, better known as The Chicken Connoisseur, thanks to his channel series titled 'The Pengest Munch' can catapult a small eatery into stardom, there are other things that can be really good for business.

A decent TripAdvisor score, for example, or even just a really good reputation, can make a real difference.

So will being awarded a Michelin star.

And this is what happened for Bouche à Oreille, a small café in Bourges, central France, with a typical truck-stopper or tradesmen clientele rather than high-brow food fanatics.

The place before the star. Now, bedlam! Credit: Google Maps

The caf's popularity came from a gaffe by Michelin, which actually originated in France. It was listed on its website as holding a coveted star, but it was actually a restaurant of the same name located just outside of Paris in Boutervilliers that was supposed to have been given the accolade. This has now been amended.

This place was supposed to get the star (and now has).

The increase in trade has come as very welcome news for Véronique Jacquet, who runs the café.

"Suddenly, we were rushed off our feet.

"Reporters were coming in and then my son phoned me from Paris, where he lives.

"He almost died laughing."

Those flocking in were sitting on plastic chairs with polka dot tables, being served homely food for a very good price.

The other restaurant near Paris, The Telegraph reports, has lobster, calf's brain and other foodie delights coming in at a set price of 48 Euros.

A typical dish at Le Bouche à Oreille, Boutervilliers. Credit: TripAdvisor

The chef of the smaller and cheaper establishment, Aymeric Dreux, stated that although he never expected a Michelin star (good job, it's gone) he does try his best for his customers: "I put my heart into my cooking."

How do you get a Michelin star?

Fuck me sideways, it does actually have something to do with Michelin tyres. It began in 1900, giving information on areas, directions, roads, and other things that would interest French motorists.

It was in 1926 that it began giving stars for places that served food.

By 1936, this is how they were categorised:

*"A very good restaurant in its category."

**"Excellent cooking, worth a detour."

***"Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey"

In 2005, Michelin produced its first America guide, then Japan in 2007 and it has grown to the global restaurant ranking we know today.

The company has come under pressure in the past for reportedly being overly lenient to restaurants in France and Japan, while there have been numerous articles claiming that the process may be unfair.

Featured Image Credit: Google Maps

Topics: Restaurant, France