Undoubtedly the biggest night for the restaurant industry, the Michelin Guide ceremony sees the tops chefs in the industry await the announcement to see if they have retained, gained or lost out on a highly coveted Michelin star. The excitement was no doubt palpable at this year’s announcement ceremony for the Great Britain and Ireland Michelin Guide, which took place on March 27 at the Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire.
Three new restaurants have made it two-star level, including Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal in London, which only opened six months ago, while 20 restaurants now have a Michelin star to their name that didn’t before. Eight restaurants hold those coveted three stars still and five special awards were announced, while four restaurants were awarded a Michelin Green Star, which highlights those at the forefront of the industry when it comes to their sustainable practices.
Here, we take a look at some of the biggest news from the night.
Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal awarded two Michelin stars, just six months after opening
The eponymous fine-dining restaurant located at Hotel Café Royal in London, and the first standalone dining location for chef patron, Alex Dilling has been awarded with two stars in the Michelin 2023 Guide, just six months after opening.
Housed in The Set Collection’s luxury London hotel, this artistic restaurant flips the switch on gastronomy with an exclusively intimate dining experience and just 34 seats. Overlooking the iconic curve of Regent Street, diners can indulge in Alex’s renowned contemporary French cuisine. The silk panelled dining room, reimagined for the opening, welcomes diners for an eight-course tasting menu, or a weekday set lunch.
Alex said: “My dream, together with my incredibly talented team, has been to become one of the most ambitious restaurants in the country, and one where our guests feel at home and to which they love to return. We are beyond proud of this very special two star honour from Michelin.”
Following the success of his time at the helm of two-Michelin star kitchens, including The Greenhouse and Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, Alex is delighted to receive such recognition and status under his own name.
Alex enthuses about his young and energetic team who share his vision, to take a modern twist on classical fine dining, noting: “We built our team and restaurant from scratch, with many past colleagues joining me to help realise my dream of opening my own restaurant. This includes my head chef Pierre Minotti, GM Benoit and our restaurant owner Victoria Sheppard. To achieve one, let alone two stars so early in our restaurant journey is testament to our team’s dedication and hard work.”
Woven by Adam Smith achieves one Michelin star within six months of opening
Woven by Adam Smith has achieved one Michelin star, which comes within six months of the restaurant’s launch in September 2022.
Woven by Adam Smith offers diners an unforgettable culinary experience in a stunning space overlooking 240 acres of picturesque Berkshire parkland. Adam’s menu offers a tapestry of familiar flavours reimagined in unexpected ways, combining the classics with modern touches and layers of personal experience. The finest produce from Britain’s famed larder acts as inspiration for the seasonally changing menus.
Following the announcement, Adam commented: “I am so happy to have reached this milestone with my driven and dedicated team, who have worked so hard and with such passion since we launched the restaurant late last year. For me, any accolade is so brilliant to receive but this really is a special time for us at Woven. Recognition from the Michelin Guide is a great honour.”
General manager at Coworth Park, Zoe Jenkins, added: “Adam’s culinary skill is at the heart of Coworth Park and the launch of Woven has anchored our reputation as a dining destination in the English countryside. This accolade by Michelin marks the continued evolution of our gastronomic credentials across all of our restaurants and bars within the hotel. We are so proud of Adam and the team.”
With surprising twists and turns, Adam’s food challenges expectations of the classics, with recipes, ingredients and dishes reinterpreted through the lens of personal experience. Adam rose through the ranks in the kitchens of The Ritz and The Devonshire Arms, before joining Coworth Park as executive chef in 2016. He has gained numerous awards along the way; amongst his proudest moments, winning the prestigious Roux Scholarship in 2012 and being awarded Master of Culinary Arts in 2017.
Woven by Adam Smith represents the culmination of Adam’s great career to date, with the chef taking his years of experience combined with a creative and hugely passionate approach to cooking, and fully expressing his unique style at the new restaurant.
Devon’s Àclèaf restaurant by Scott Paton receives its first Michelin star
Àclèaf in Devon has been awarded its first Michelin star, continuing the reign as Plymouth’s highest rated and only Michelin starred restaurant. Already awarded 4 AA rosettes, the intimate restaurant at the five-star Boringdon Hall Hotel and Spa is putting the South West firmly on the map for a considered foodie destination outside of London.
Àclèaf showcases inventive British fare using the finest locally sourced ingredients. Promising guests an unforgettable gastronomic journey, with surprises along the way, head chef Scott Paton and team offer a four-course menu, with visually striking dishes that celebrate the highest-quality, seasonal ingredients, sourced locally where possible. The restaurant also offers a paired wine flight perfectly matched to each individual dish, picked from their impressive wine cellar which is home to over 1,500 wines.
On the recognition, Scott said: “In my 20 years of cooking it’s always been a goal to achieve a Michelin star since those early days listening to chef’s stories about the pinnacle dining experiences, but, since joining Boringdon Hall and receiving the faith and trust from the directors to launch Àclèaf, that goal became so much closer and in turn we pushed so much harder, not for the star, but for excellence. I’ve never worked with a team who kick themselves more or who ask so many questions about our why, so for that I’m so delighted for the team to get their recognition for that hard work.”
Scott joined Boringdon Hall Hotel and Spa in 2016 as head chef following stints at The Horn of Plenty and The Jack in the Green. As head chef at The Horn of Plenty, time experimenting allowed Scott to realise and develop his own cooking style which, at Àclèaf, he describes as “truth with elegance”. His dishes are simple, yet sophisticated, allowing quality ingredients to shine through.
Cumbrian Pentonbridge Inn restaurant now ranks among the best in the world after being awarded its first Michelin star
Pentonbridge Inn, near Carlisle, was handed the prestigious accolade, bringing a first Michelin star to Carlisle, with the restaurant now one of 11 Michelin starred restaurants in Cumbria.
Chris Archer, head chef at Pentonbridge Inn, said: “As a chef, it’s something that you hope and dream about for your entire career and it’s down to the dedication and hard work of the whole team that we have achieved it together at Pentonbridge.
“The quality of the food and drink in Cumbria has made it a must-visit destination for people across the UK and beyond and it makes me very proud that Pentonbridge is now included alongside the other Michelin starred restaurants in the county such as The Cottage in the Wood, The Old Stamp House and L’Enclume.
“I’m delighted for the whole team who work so hard to deliver an exceptional service for every one of our guests.”
Chris and sous chef Arran Seymour were at the awards where Chris was the first to be invited on stage to receive a Michelin star. He was presented with the signature Michelin white jacket and a video was shown of the chef learning he had won a Michelin star while in the kitchen at Pentonbridge Inn. A white jacket had been hidden in a delivery of vegetables.
Exclusive Collection celebrates The Pass gaining a star, making it three for the collection
UK hotel group Exclusive Collection is thrilled that The Pass at South Lodge has been awarded a Michelin star, less than one year after re-opening with Ben Wilkinson at the helm. In addition, Latymer at Pennyhill Park, and Bybrook at The Manor House, have both retained their coveted Michelin starred status for 2023.
Exclusive Collection boasts an array of award-winning dining experiences across the collection, with three Michelin stars adding to numerous AA rosettes and even a top 50 gastropub recognition. From fine dining tasting menus, to woodfired cooking, dairy-free and hyper-local, each property’s talented team shares a passion for quality food, sustainability, and provenance, showcased by ever-evolving seasonal menus and dining concepts.
Danny Pecorelli, managing director of Exclusive Collection, said: “I am delighted to have a third star added to the collection. Food really does sit at the heart of Exclusive Collection and it’s great to see the talents of Ben and The Pass team recognised by the Michelin Guide, along with the continued exceptional offering delivered by Bybrook and Latymer. I’m extremely proud of all our restaurant teams in delivering progressive menus that have sustainability and food waste at the core of their design, as part of our commitment to B Corp standards.”
Reopened in 2022, The Pass is an intimate 28-cover restaurant led by head chef Ben, previously known for his work at The Cottage in the Wood, a Michelin starred restaurant in the Lake District. Overlooking the kitchen, guests have the opportunity to truly experience the craft, with thoughtfully curated tasting menus coming to life before their eyes, featuring seasonal, British produce as the highlight of the plate.
Ben commented: “Since joining The Pass last year, we’ve been delivering a Michelin starred dining experience to all of our guests, so we are delighted to have been awarded with such a prestigious achievement which the team and I can all shout about.”
The Samling on the banks of picturesque Lake Windermere rejoices with its win
Having already earned a reputation for excellence in the most beautiful of surroundings, The Samling has been awarded a Michelin star to prove its status as a food destination too seek out.
The Samling has just 12 rooms, but one of the UK’s finest restaurants and wine cellars. It is privately owned, and located on the banks of Lake Windermere, nestled into the hillside in 65 acres of rolling meadowlands, kitchen gardens and ancient woodlands. The hotel itself is made of little cottages and farm buildings around the main house, where the glass fronted restaurants gives unbeatable views across the water.
Led by executive head chef Robby Jenks, the kitchen team is dedicated to using only the finest ingredients to create dishes that showcase seasonal produce and ingredients.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded a Michelin star,” said general manager Oliver Smith, ” This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team, who strive to provide our guests with an unforgettable dining experience every day.”
The Samling has been praised by food critics and diners alike for its innovative dishes, flawless execution, and warm hospitality. The restaurant’s elegant interior, breath-taking views across Windermere and attentive service create an atmosphere that is both welcoming and refined.
“We are honoured to be included among the world’s best restaurants,” said Robby. “Our team is constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the kitchen, and this recognition is a validation of our efforts.”
The award of a Michelin star is a significant milestone for any restaurant, and The Samling is proud to be among the select few to receive this honour.
Gidleigh Park is back on top with a Michelin star
Gidleigh Park and executive head chef Chris Eden are celebrating the news that Gidleigh Park is back at the top by being awarded a Michelin star.
Chris said: “I’m incredibly proud to head up Gidleigh Park’s kitchen, and to work with such passionate and hard working people, whose dedication gives our guests the best experience. This award belongs to everyone at the hotel – as a team they deserve it. I’d also like to recognise our producers, who are at the heart of what we do at Gidleigh Park – each day we showcase the amazing produce we have in the west country, and realise how lucky we are to be located here”.
Simon Franks, general manager at Gidleigh Park, added: “Chris has so much passion for everything he does in the kitchen, the ardent development of his team, our magical location, and the incredible produce of Devon, which all shines through into his menus. We are delighted that Gidleigh Park has been awarded a Michelin star, it is a fantastic reflection of what Chris and the whole team work so hard to deliver to our guests every day.”
Born and raised in Cornwall, and having spent most of his career in the south west, Chris spent time cooking in London before returning to Cornwall in 2007 to lead the kitchen at Driftwood. Awarded a Michelin star at Driftwood in 2012, Chris retained the accolade each year, until his move to Gidleigh Park in 2019. Bringing his produce-led ethos to the Gidleigh Park kitchens, Chris is a champion of local producers, handling ingredients with exceptional skill and care, with the seasonal bounty from the hotel’s kitchen garden also regularly informing Chris’ menus.
Other news from the night
As mentioned there are three new restaurants that hold two stars: Dede in Baltimore and The Ledbury in London join Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal in London for this impressive accolade, which the guide recommends as ‘excellent cooking, worth a detour’.
New green star restaurants consist of Apricity in London, Osip in Bruton and two in Cornwall – Crocadon in St Mellion and CULTURE in Falmouth. The full list of new Michelin star restaurants can be found here – guide.michelin.com.
Eight restaurants in the 2023 guide hold three stars, which are described as having ‘exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey’. These are Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, CORE by Clare Smyth, Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, Restaurant Gordon Ramsey, Sketch (The Lecture Room and Library) in London; Fat Duck and Waterside Inn in Bray; and L’Enclume in Cartmel.
There are now 25 two Michelin star restaurants and 173 one Michelin star restaurants in this year’s guide for Great Britain and Ireland. See the full list here – guide.michelin.com.
Image at the very top is a dish from Àclèaf.
