There were two new two-star restaurants and fifteen new one-stars, a big name lost their second star and, surprisingly, there were no new three-stars and no leaks. If you hadn’t noticed, the Michelin Guide UK 2014 was released today.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal headed by Ashley Palmer-Watts and Arnaud Bignon’s The
Greenhouse in Mayfair both gained two Michelin stars, swelling the ranks of UK two-star restaurants to a total of 22.
Ashley Palmer-Watts, who is currently on holiday with his family in France, shared his reaction to the good news with The Staff Canteen. “I’m blown away really,” he said. “I can’t quite describe it; it may take a little while to sink in.
“Any star is amazing – the first one was incredible and the second one is just amazing. It’s brilliant for everyone – we’ve got 50-odd people in the kitchen plus the front of house staff so it’s a brilliant motivator and a real testament to their achievement.”
Heston Blumenthal also added his reaction saying: “I am overjoyed. It’s great news for Ashley and the whole team. It’s been an incredible two and a half years for Dinner and this is just simply the highl
ight. As a Brit, I am very proud that a restaurant inspired by and celebrating historic British cooking has been recognised today.”
Editor of The Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland, Rebecca Burr, said of the new two-stars: “Dinner opened to great acclaim and it was fantastic as soon as it opened.
"We just needed to see a bit more consistency across the whole menu. The Greenhouse has always been an iconic restaurant and it’s very different – technically impressive and innovative. They’re both welcome additions to the two-stars, which are getting interesting now. We just need one of them to take that extra leap to three.”
The fifteen new one star restaurants included Adam Stoke’s Adam’s in Birmingham; Ormer by Shaun Rankin in Jersey; Ametsa with Arzak Instruction in The Halkin Hotel in Belgravia; Eric Chavot’s Brasserie Chavot in Mayfair; Nathan Outlaw’s Outlaw's at the Capital in Mayfair; Jason Atherton’s Social Eating House in Soho and Virgilio Martinez’s Lima in Regent’s Park and Marylebone (see below for full list).
Nathan Outlaw said to The Staff Canteen: “It’s absolutely amazing. It’s one thing getting a Michelin star but maintaining it is always the hardes
t thing I think, so the fun starts now really. Although I’m in London every week it’s Pete and the team that do all the hard work.”
Paul Hood, head chef at Social Eating House told The Staff Canteen: “We’re so proud. The success
of Pollen Street’s been amazing so to continue that is just great and shows that all the hard work that everyone puts in has paid off. I spoke to Jason at about one minute after the results came out this morning and he’s ecstatic too.”
Tony Fleming, Executive chef at Angler said: “This is undeniably one of the best days of my career. It’s also my daughter Louisa’s 10th birthday today and I can’t wait to celebrate with my talented team and loving family.”
Gabriel Gonzalez, co-owner of Lima also shared his thoughts with The Staff Canteen. He said: “A Michelin star is an incredible accomplishment. I am so proud of Robert Ortiz and the team who work to exceptional standards at every service, and feel this really is a testament to all of our hard work this year.”
Sergio Sanchez Blanco, head chef at Ametsa with Arzak Instruction, said: “Being awarded the Michelin star was completely unexpected but a very welcome surprise. It is an outstanding accolade that confirms we are on the right path with what we are trying to achieve in Ametsa. We are a very solid team and are all striving to constantly improve and grow every day to give the very best service and dining experience”
Of the 13 establishments that lost a star, most were due to closures, except for the Burlington Arms in North Yorkshire, the Dining Room at Mallory in Warwickshire, Hamborough on the Isle of Wight, Locks Brasserie in Dublin and Petersham Nurseries Café in Richmond-upon-Thames, all of which lost their star. But the biggest shock of the day was perhaps that legendary French chef Joël Robuchon’s L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Westminster lost its second star, dropping to a one-star establishment.
A spokesperson for the restaurant was unwilling to comment but said that Mr Robuchon will be releasing a statement later today. Another surprise, perhaps, was the lack of any new three-stars.
Editor, Rebecca Burr said: “It would be fantastic to have another three-star in this country but we never lose sight of the four restaurants that have got three stars and the hard work it takes to maintain those, because that’s a world-class accolade to maintain; they are four of only 105 three-stars across the whole world so a restaurant has got to be absolutely ready to get to that level.” It seems we’ll all have to wait another year then. Anyone heard of any leaks from the 2015 guide?
Below is the list of all the new one-star restaurants in Great Britain and Ireland:
England:The Samling, Ambleside, CumbriaAdam's, BirminghamWilks, BristolOrmer by Shaun Rankin, Jersey/St HelierLondonHKK, Shoreditch, HackneyAngler, Islington, LondonOutlaw's at the Capital (Capital Hotel), ChelseaStory, Bermondsey, LondonAmetsa with Arzak Instruction, Belgravia, LondonBrasserie Chavot, Mayfair, LondonBo London, Mayfair, LondonLima, Regent's Park and Marylebone, LondonSocial Eating House, Soho, London
Republic of Ireland:Campagne, KilkennyLady Helen, Thomastown, Kilkenny
See our guide to what it means to gain or lose a Michelin star here
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