Over a dozen restaurants in the South West region have been honoured in the 2023 Michelin Guide.
Within the coveted list of 14 The Àclèaf in Plymouth and Lumiere in Cheltenham were both recognised for their culinary expertise. Gidleigh Park in Devon was also awarded one star.
The region did lose two restaurants from the 188-strong list, following the closures of Casamia in Bristol and Thomas Carr 1873, Ilfracombe.
The Gloucestershire town of Cheltenham now has two restaurants with a Michelin Star, matching Bristol’s total.
Announcing the news on Twitter, Michelin guide referenced how the cooking has "got better and better over 14 years."
Lumiere opened in 2009 and is run by husband and wife team, Somerset-born chef Jon and general manager Helen Howe. The restaurant has a focus on the best British produce sourced from a network of dedicated farmers, fishermen, producers, and its own family run farm.
One MICHELIN Star goes to @LumiereChelt for cooking that’s simply got better and better over 14 years #Gloucestershire#MICHELINGuideGBI #MICHELINStar23 pic.twitter.com/ehkYF5bLDQ
— The MICHELIN Guide (@MichelinGuideUK)
Lumiere has received numerous local and national awards including AA Restaurant of the Year for England, 3AA Rosettes, a Green Star Initiative from Michelin and is regularly listed amongst the Top 20 Restaurants in the UK by Hardens and Tripadvisor. The award of Michelin star only adds to its growing list of achievements.
Devon-based restaurants The Àclèaf and and Gildleigh Park were likewise thrilled with the prestigious recognition.
Posting on Facebook, Gildleigh Park said: "Today we are celebrating the news that we have been awarded a Michelin star, following the release of the Michelin Guide 2023.
"Congratulations to Executive Head Chef Chris Eden, General Manager, Simon Franks and the whole team here at Gidleigh Park."
While The Àclèaf took to Instagram to announce the news. The team said: "We are overwhelmingly delighted to share the news that we have been awarded a MICHELIN Star in this evenings announcement, the signature of culinary excellence. Scott Paton would like to personally thank the whole team for their dedication and relentless hard word to push for perfection.
"Thank you to all of our guests who have dined with us, you have all been an important part of the journey and remind us on a daily basis of why we step into that kitchen; to create memorable dining experiences each and every service."
Àclèaf is a unique dining experience exclusive to Boringdon Hall where Scott Paton’s seasonally menus take centre stage.
Commenting on the Michelin star award, which sits alongside 4 AA Rosettes Paton said: "We’re going back to classical techniques a bit more – that’s our next progression, to go backwards. We’ll be looking at more traditional sauces, more traditional plating styles, more traditional cooking methods."
The Michelin Guide was first published for the UK in 1911, as an extension of brothers Édouard and André Michelin famous tyre company, with the guide providing advice to motorists on hotels and eating out.
Albert and Michel Roux's Le Gavroche in London was the first restaurant in the UK to receive a Michelin star, in 1974, and had received its coveted three by 1982. Receiving a star is transformational for a restaurant business.
The full South West Winners are:
- Àclèaf, Plymouth (new)
- Bulrush, Bristol
- Bybrook, Castle Combe
- Elephant, Torquay
- Gidleigh Park, Chagford (new)
- Le Champignon Sauvage, Cheltenham
- Lumière, Cheltenham (new)
- Olive Tree, Bath
- Osip, Bruton
- Paco Tapas, Bristol
- Paul Ainsworth at No. 6, Padstow
- The Dining Room, Malmesbury
Outlaw's Fish Kitchen, Port Isaac
Outlaw's New Road, Port Isaac
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