Michelin award-winning restaurant Raby Hunt is celebrating after being named as one of the best in the UK by The Good Food Guide.
The fine dining favourite, headed up by James Close, was singled out by the prestigious guide as one of the top places to eat, sharing the glory with the likes of the three Michelin-star L’Enclume in Cumbria at a red carpet event in London. Pine in Northumberland made number 13 in the list.
The Raby Hunt itself has two Michelin stars and its chef patron is delighted at the latest honour which follows other previous successes including its inclusion in both the National Restaurant Awards and a list of the top 100 places to eat in the UK.
James, who actually started off with ambitions to become a professional golfer before deciding to focus upon food, is self-taught in the kitchen and has carved out a niche for himself in the world of fine dining since opening the Raby Hunt, in Grade II-listed building at Summerhouse near Darlington, in 2009. He said: "To have been placed number four out of the entire country – and up against such incredible opposition is a real achievement for both me and the entire team.
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“It shows our commitment and continued striving for perfection has paid off.” The restaurant is the only one in the north to have made it into The Good Food Guide's list of the UK’s top 10 most exciting places to eat. It was beaten only by L’Enclume in top spot and, in second and third place, Moor Hall Restaurant in Lancashire and Ynyshir in Ceredigion, Wales. The Michelin award-winning Pine, at East Wallhouses, however features in the list at number 13.
Following the news, Raby Hunt shared its success on Twitter, saying: "Wow number four in the UK; amazing for our little family business In County Durham." Among the responses from followers were "no surprise ... many congratulations"; "Nice one" and "That's amazing news. Well done .... thoroughly deserved".
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