Few food lovers realise that the iconic red plaques adorning Michelin-starred restaurants around the world originate not in Paris, but in the Czech Republic. For more than a decade, the Brno-based company Smalt Brno has been responsible for producing these enamelled signs, which represent one of the most recognisable symbols of culinary excellence. To date, the firm has manufactured over ten thousand plaques for top restaurants across multiple continents.
The Michelin Guide, first issued in 1900, has become the most influential rating system in global gastronomy, awarding up to three stars to restaurants that demonstrate exceptional quality. While the stars themselves are widely celebrated, the physical plaques displaying them are far less known — and even less known is that they are produced by a Czech manufacturer. Smalt Brno, a company with more than 30 years of experience in porcelain-enamel signage, has become a central partner in shaping the Guide’s visual identity.
The cooperation began when Michelin’s agency approached the Brno manufacturer to test whether it could produce plaques that matched the durability, colour intensity and precision required by the brand. The company developed a production method in which each plaque is enamelled, fired and finished to withstand decades of outdoor exposure, from heavy rain to strong sun. After successfully meeting Michelin’s criteria, Smalt Brno became the official producer, delivering new plaques every year as restaurants earn stars or replace older signs.
Today, Smalt Brno ships more than ten thousand Michelin plaques worldwide, each arriving with mounting hardware and detailed instructions. The company has encountered occasional counterfeits — usually cheaper plastic or painted versions — but only the Czech-made porcelain enamel plaques carry the required “Country of origin: Czech Republic” marking and are recognised as authentic.
Despite annual supplier reviews, Smalt Brno’s representatives say that the volume of production, the consistent quality and the long-standing reliability of their process make it unlikely that Michelin will seek a replacement. With the Guide continuing to expand into new countries and cities, the partnership looks set to continue — ensuring that a quiet but significant Czech contribution remains part of one of the culinary world’s most enduring symbols.
