Maintaining Michelin-Star Standards: A Framework for Pastry Kitchen Leadership and Mentorship

Abstract

This study develops and validates a comprehensive framework for leadership and mentorship in Michelin-star pastry kitchens, emphasizing their collective role in maintaining excellence, innovation, and consistency. Using a mixed-method research design, data were collected from 100 chefs across 20 Michelin-star establishments through structured surveys, semi-structured interviews, and non-participant observations. Quantitative analysis, including correlation, regression, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), revealed that transformational leadership significantly enhances mentorship quality, which in turn mediates improvements in team performance, innovation, and production consistency. Qualitative findings further highlighted mentorship as the bridge linking leadership intent to skill transfer, emotional resilience, and creative discipline. The proposed integrated framework demonstrates that emotional intelligence, structured mentorship, and adaptive leadership together sustain the high standards that define Michelin excellence. This study contributes to hospitality management literature by providing an empirically grounded and practically applicable model for cultivating leadership-driven mentorship cultures in high-performance culinary environments.