How do you evaluate a chef, outside of tasting their food? Are there credentials you need to check? Are some of those more prestigious then others? Are there good vs. bad schools? Are there artistic movements in the chef world?
Well, you could look at reviews of their restaurants in culinary magazines or hearsay from people who've been there. But indeed a chef is only as good as his last meal so unless you try the food yourself you won't know if you like it.
These rate the overall restaurant, but of course a good restaurant needs good chefs. Most of the stars seem to be given to French places serving French food . Anyone been to one of these places? How expensive are they ? I've heard some crazy prices are asked.