Stars in the real world
The guide, its stars and recommendations are new in 2009, although it's all been quite a few years in development. Our ratings are intended, above all, to be clear and helpful to the consumer.
Readers will quickly become familiar with Foodstars™ and Chefstars™ and other recommendations. These easy-to-follow distinctions will be used throughout the site, and in the annual Scotland's FoodMap™ publication from 2009 onwards.
Every rated entry has been visited, chefs and owners met, kitchens explored and suppliers considered, menus and winelists mulled. Consumer feedback is carefully considered. All the resultant information goes into the mix from which we produce results.
FoodReview™ Scotland awards 1 – 6 Foodstars in standard or gold classes to researched full-service dining businesses, plus 3 classes of Chefstars to chefs in person; more below on the stars. We also award Recommended and Highly Recommended distinctions to good food business other than full-service restaurants.
Reviewers, writers and judges for FoodReview Scotland are mature, experienced and well able to comparative and commonsense.
The company hosts two national annual awards events: more on these below.
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What we consider in coming to a verdict – and how we get the information:
The 10 Key Considerations in Rating
1 Skill – Technical, Presentation, Menus, Creativity, Detail
2 Flavour – Balance, Innovation, Restraint, Heritage, Satisfaction
3 Ingredients – Overall Quality, Sourcing, Seasonality, Locality
4 Kitchen – Chef, Team, Organisation, Motivation, Certifications, CPD
5 Reliability – Constancy, Consumer Feedback, Recommendability
6 Atmosphere – Comfort, Mood, Design, Appeal, Integrity
7 Service – Professionalism, Friendliness, Efficiency, Skills
8 Value – Pricing, Competitor Analysis, Promotions, Loyalty
9 Drinks – Wine, Wine list, Sommelier / Advice, Whiskies, Range
10 Extra – Facilities, Setting, Healthy Options, Intangible Qualities, Wit
The 5 Key Sources of Information
1 Research review visits, interviews, meetings on site, inspections
2 Unannounced review visits, inspections of kitchens and ingredients
3 Consumer feedback from website and comment cards
4 Industry intelligence
5 Comment and opinion from advisors and judges
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Foodstars™
1 = Listed
2 = Good
3 = Very good
4 = Excellent
5 = Exceptional
6 = Nationally Outstanding
Crucially, in understanding this guide, FoodReview's system highly rates 'best of kind' and, in that regard, integrity and quality above all. For example, 5 Foodstars does not necessarily mean such cuisine is 'fancier' than 4 Foodstars food; the higher rating reflects (while bearing in mind essential Considerations as above) what we reckon is higher quality, delivery of promise and, therefore, value. Again, not fanciness; nor fussiness, nor elaboration for the sake of it.
Another example: our 'nationally outstanding' 6 Foodstar rating means exactly that: amongst the best in the country. But for the full picture on an establishment do read the review, while considering the type of establishment we're rating. Indeed, there could easily be two or more very different full-service dining experiences on offer in the one town, each with the same top rating and both being amongst what this guide would consider the country's best of their kind. It is about achievement.
Foodstars are awarded in standard or gold class to full-service dining establishments. A round logo displays the rating in stars (white for standard, or gold) and has the award description within quotation marks. You can also see these roundels on the site's search results and entry pages.
Gold stars are shorthand for 'and reliably so': for example, a restaurant holding 3 gold Foodstars has our rating for being 'very good and reliably so'. But as a rule of thumb we have to have at least one year's review knowledge of the chef, owners and or establishment to award gold Foodstars. We're strongly of the view that we need to know the people, to understand the dependability of a restaurant.
Standard class Foodstars may be upgraded to gold Foodstars in due course. The 1 star ‘listed’ rating is only made in standard class.
Chefstars™
Young Chefstar™ = recognition of Rising Chef Talent
Chefstar™ = recognition of an Exceptional Chef
Double Chefstar™ = recognition of a Nationally Outstanding Chef
Chefstars are awarded to the individual, not to an establishment, hence if a chef moves he / she retains his / her distinction. This is generally an award for life although, of course, it may be re-graded or withdrawn.
Recommendations
FoodReview Scotland will also be making Recommended and Highly Recommended distinctions to food businesses. Holders of 3 or more Foodstars or a Chefstar may nominate for immediate inclusion in the guide. Readers may nominate businesses anytime for consideration. Recommendations could ideally apply, for example, to an exceptional café at a visitor attraction; indeed, any such food service which wouldn’t be eligible for a full Foodstars rating. Recommendations are for good dining businesses other than full-service restaurants.
Annual awards
The FoodReview™ Scottish Food & Chef Honours awards event will from November 2009 annually provide a prestigious opportunity to recognise national winners across several food and chef categories. The sparkling event (details to be added here in spring) will be the only food awards run by a Scottish food guide. Our company, Review Guides Limited, also organises The Scottish Hotel Awards.
Nominations for the food awards can be made all year – by readers, the guide itself, or industry representatives. Winners will be selected by FoodReview Scotland’s team – directors, reviewers, patron, judges – who will carefully take into account feedback by consumers. The results will be based on up-to-date, balanced information and an experienced interpretation.
The organising team have valuable experience as founders six years ago and now principal partners of the industry-leading hotel awards event now titled The Scottish Hotel Awards which have had leading guest presenters including the current First Minister.
Your thoughts or nominations
Ideas and constructive comments, corrections, nominations and tips – all are most welcome.
Please just e-mail: Editorial@FoodReviewScotland.com
™ & © 2009 FoodReviewScotland.com / Review Guides Limited