The Michelin Guide delivered some welcome good news for Great Britain and Ireland’s hospitality sector with the announcement of not one but two new three-star restaurants, with both kitchens run by female chefs - Hélène Darroze at The Connaught and Core by Clare Smyth in London.
Clare Smyth's cooking is all about purity and poise, and her restaurant Core in London has, in just three years, gained a reputation of excellence among the world's gastronomic elite. Hélène Darroze combines timeless elegance with daring innovation at her restaurant in The Connaught. Her talent and creativity are well known and to many, a third star for her cooking was an inevitability.
The announcement of two new three-star restaurants is historic for the Great Britain and Ireland’s hospitality industry, but to have both of them helmed by females makes it extra special. There was also three new two-stars and 17 new one-star restaurants added to the guide this year. With Great Britain and Ireland currently suffering badly due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, restaurants are struggling across the islands.
However, the resilience, inventiveness and generosity of chefs and restauranteurs has seen them step up in incredible ways to help their communities, suppliers and their staff. Their efforts were recognised by the Michelin Guide’s star revelation, as well as awards for service and sustainability that show the industry’s heroes that their efforts are deeply admired.
Before the stars were meted out, there were some alternative recognitions to announce. The first award of the night was the Michelin Guide’s Welcome and Service Award, which went to Saul McConnell of Noble Holywood in Northern Ireland, for outstanding service and attention to detail in making their customers feel welcome.
The Sommelier Award went to Karine Canavet from Maison Bleue, Bury St Edmunds. The Young Chef Award was awarded to Kray Treadwell, 670 Grams, Birmingham, who at only 30 years of age is already heading up an impressive kitchen, and demonstrates exceptional culinary skills for his relatively young age.
The Mentor Chef Award, recognising experienced chefs who share their knowledge with younger generations, went to Ross Lewis of Dublin fine-dining institution Chapter One. Twenty-three establishments were among the first restaurants to receive the Michelin Guide’s Green Star for sustainability, including Black Swan in Oldstead and Restaurant Sat Bains in Nottingham.
Three-star restaurants
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, London (New)
Core by Clare Smyth, London (New)
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, London
Sketch (The Lecture Room and Library), London
Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester, London
The Fat Duck, Bray
Two-star restaurants:
A. Wong, London (New)
Da Terra, London (New)
Story, London (New)
La Dame de Pic, London
Claude Bosi at Bibendum, London
Kitchen Table, London
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, London
Le Gavroche, London
Midsummer House, Cambridge
Hand and Flowers, Marlow
Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, Great Milton
The Dining Room, Malmsbury
Restaurant Sat Bains, Nottingham
Moor Hall, Aughton
Raby Hunt, Summer House
L’Enclume, Cartmel
Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles, Auchterarder
New one-star restaurants
Behind, London Fields
Benares, Mayfair
Casa Fofō, Dalston
Cornerstone, Hackney Wick
Davies and Brook, Mayfair – Addition to the Guide.
Muse, Belgravia – Addition to the Guide
SO|LA, Soho – Addition to the Guide
ENGLAND
Osip, Bruton – Addition to the Guide
hide and fox, Saltwood
Hjem, Wall
Outlaw’s New Road, Port Isaac – Addition to the Guide
Roots, York
Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall, Ripon – Addition to the Guide
Latymer at Pennyhill Park, Bagshot – Addition to the Guide.
Pea Porridge, Bury St Edmunds – Promotion from a Bib Gourmand to a Star
SCOTLAND
Cail Bruich, Glasgow
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Dede, Baltimore – Addition to the Guide
