Many aspiring chefs dream of earning Michelin star status, but few manage to reach the heights of culinary excellence required to earn this prestigious accolade. One chef who has successfully made this journey is Victor Garvey, the mastermind behind SOLA, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Soho, London.

With a career spanning top kitchens across the US and Europe, Garvey’s path to culinary stardom showcases the passion, dedication, and creativity required to become a Michelin star chef. Whether you’re an aspiring chef or fascinated by the world of fine dining, his journey offers valuable insights into what it takes to achieve success in the highly competitive world of gastronomy.

Develop a Deep Passion for Food:

Every Michelin-starred chef starts with a love for food. Cooking is not just a job—it’s an art form that requires constant learning, experimentation, and refinement. Victor Garvey’s passion for food was sparked at a young age, influenced by his Spanish-American heritage and exposure to a variety of culinary traditions.

For aspiring chefs, the first step is to immerse yourself in the culinary world. This means:

• Cooking as much as possible – Experiment with different ingredients, techniques, and cuisines.
• Tasting wide – Travel, try new foods, and understand how flavours work together.
• Studying the greats – Read about chefs who have shaped modern gastronomy.

A true Michelin-starred chef is obsessed with food—not just in the kitchen but in every aspect of life.

Train in the Best Kitchens:

Formal training is crucial for developing the skills needed to operate at a Michelin level. Many top chefs attend prestigious culinary schools.

However, some chefs, including Victor Garvey, build their careers through hands-on experience in some of the world’s top kitchens. Garvey honed his craft in Michelin-starred restaurants across the US and Europe, working with renowned chefs and perfecting his understanding of fine dining, technique, and creativity.

If you want to become a Michelin-star chef, aim to work in the best restaurants—even if you start from the bottom. The experience gained in a high-pressure, professional kitchen is invaluable.

Master Technique and Innovation:

Michelin-star chefs don’t just cook—they innovate. Achieving excellence means mastering both traditional techniques and modern gastronomy. SOLA, for example, blends the classic precision of French fine dining with the bold, seasonal ingredients of Californian cuisine, resulting in a unique culinary identity.

To follow in Garvey’s footsteps, an aspiring Michelin-starred chef should focus on:

• Knife skills and precision – Every cut matters in a Michelin kitchen.
• Sauces and stocks – The backbone of fine dining, perfected over centuries.
• Modern techniques – Sous-vide cooking, fermentation, and molecular gastronomy.
• Plating and presentation – Michelin dining is as much about visual storytelling as it is about flavour.

The key is to develop a signature style—something that sets you apart from every other chef.

Understand the Business of Fine Dining:

Running a Michelin-starred restaurant isn’t just about cooking—it’s about creating an unforgettable experience for guests. Victor Garvey has transformed SOLA into a destination restaurant that combines:

• Exceptional food – Meticulously curated tasting menus that change with the seasons.
• World-class wine pairings – A focus on North American wines that complement the dishes.
• Flawless service – Michelin restaurants prioritise hospitality, theatre, and precision in every aspect of service.

Aspiring chefs must understand that Michelin-star success is not just about what happens in the kitchen—it’s about creating a complete dining experience that wows customers.

Chase Perfection Relentlessly:

Michelin-starred chefs are perfectionists. Every dish must be executed at the highest level, every service must be flawless, and every detail must contribute to an exceptional experience.

To follow Victor Garvey’s lead, you must embrace:

• Hard work and resilience – Long hours and relentless pressure are part of the journey.
• Constant improvement – Michelin chefs never stop learning.
• A strong team – Success in fine dining depends on an elite kitchen brigade.

Michelin stars are not given—they are earned through passion, discipline, and innovation.

Aim for Michelin Recognition:

Earning a Michelin star is the ultimate achievement for a chef, but how does a restaurant get one? The Michelin Guide awards stars based on:

Quality of ingredients

Mastery of technique

Harmonious flavours

Consistency (over multiple visits)

Personality of the chef in the cuisine

SOLA, under Victor Garvey’s leadership, has achieved a Michelin star by excelling in all these areas, making it one of Soho’s most distinguished restaurants.

Final Thoughts:

Becoming a Michelin-starred chef is a journey that requires passion, dedication, and an obsession with excellence. Victor Garvey’s success at SOLA is proof that with hard work and relentless innovation, it’s possible to achieve the highest accolades in gastronomy.

For aspiring chefs, the path to Michelin stardom is challenging—but for those who truly love the craft, it’s the most rewarding career imaginable. Whether you dream of opening your fine dining restaurant or simply mastering the art of cooking, let SOLA’s Michelin-starred journey inspire you to chase perfection in the kitchen.

Want to experience Michelin-starred excellence?

Book a table at SOLA and discover Victor Garvey’s culinary mastery firsthand!