A closer look at the UK's Michelin pub scene

There are few things more characteristically British than a pub.  With the rise of the ‘gastro-pub’, fine dining doesn’t have to be a formal occasion any more. British pubs have brilliantly combined exceptional culinary standards with the laid back atmosphere of a traditional pub. Ahead of the 2015 Eating Out in Pubs guide, we thought it was time to take a closer look at the UK’s Michelin star pubs. There are, at the time of writing, 18 Michelin star pubs in the UK:   The Hand & Flowers Location: Marlow, Buckinghamshire. Tom Kerridge’s Hand & Flowers is the only pub to be awarded two Michelin stars. The Buckinghamshire pub earned its first Michelin star within less than a year of opening in March 2005 followed by a second star in 2012. The service is friendly and unpretentious while the food is an exquisite blend of British classics with French nouvelle cuisine.       The Black Swan Location: Oldstead, North Yorkshire. The Black Swan at Oldfield, surrounded by the glorious countryside of the North York Moors, was the only northern establishment to enter the 2012 Michelin guide. The pub is owned and run by Tom and Anne Banks and their sons, James and Tommy work as restaurant manager and head chef. The décor is full of character and food can be eaten at the bar or on an outside table where you can fully appreciate the glorious Yorkshire landscape with a pint of the fabled local ale.       The Pipe and Glass Inn Location: Beverley, East Yorkshire. The Pipe and Glass Inn was East Yorkshire’s first Michelin star in 2010. The produce is locally sourced and unashamedly British. James Mackenzie’s menu features such classics as ‘bubble and squeak’ and ‘potted pork’. The atmosphere is warm and inviting with generous portions and traditional wooden furniture.       The Walnut Tree Inn Location: Abergavenny, Monmouthshire. The Walnut Tree Inn has an illustrious history. From 1963-2001, it was successfully run by legendary chef Franco Taruschio. The current head chef is Shaun Hill, who took over in 2008 and immediately restored the pub to Michelin star status. Hill’s food is an eclectic mix of various culinary influences and his menus change daily.       The Stagg Inn Location: Kington, Herefordshire. The Stagg Inn was the first pub to be awarded a Michelin star back in 2001. Steve Reynolds’ team grow their on fruit, vegetables and herbs as well as keeping hens and making sausages. The menus are brief, full of local produce and change every two months. The pub is in a traditional Victorian setting in the Herefordshire heartland.       The Royal Oak Location: Bray, Berkshire. The Royal Oak is yet another reason for food-lovers to flock to Bray. Head chef, Michael Chapman, selects the best seasonal produce that, wherever possible, is sourced locally. Michael’s food is designed not to be pretentious and embrace the flavours of the produce. Owned by Sir Michael Parkinson, the décor is cosy with lots of paintings and attractive wooden beams.       The Harwood Arms Location: London The Harwood Arms is the only Michelin-starred pub in the capital, after gaining recognition in the 2010 guide. According to the Michelin guide, it is a “down-to-earth pub that just happens to serve really good food.” The menu is proudly British with an emphasis on seasonality while the bar is stocked with the finest British ales.       The Butchers Arms Location: Eldersfield, Gloucestershire The Butchers Arms is a rural 16th century pub run by husband and wife duo James and Elizabeth Winter. The Michelin-starred menu is short and seasonal with ingredients sourced from local suppliers. Everything from the bread to the ice cream is homemade and, as the pub only accommodates 25, there is a genuinely homely feel.       The Pony & Trap Location: Chew Magna, Somerset The Pony & Trap, awarded with a Michelin star in 2011, is one of Somerset’s finest culinary destinations. Run by the Eggleton family, the menus champion local suppliers with an emphasis on simplicity. Head chef, Josh Eggleton, was one of Gordon Ramsay’s protégés and was just 27 at the time of the pubs first Michelin star. The interior is unassuming with a light, spacious dining area overlooking the quaint rural surroundings.         The Masons Arms Location: Knowstone, Devon The Masons Arms, recognised in the 2010 Michelin guide, is a 13th century pub in the heart of the Devonshire countryside. Mark Dodson, who worked as head chef at Michel Roux’s Waterside Inn for 12 years, runs the pub with his wife Sarah. The menu is a blend of British and French classics with a modern twist, boasting excellent food, real ale and striking views over Exmoor.       Sir Charles Napier Inn Location: Chinnor, Oxfordshire The Sir Charles Napier Inn was awarded a Michelin star in the 2012 guide. Located in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside, head chef Anthony Skeats offers a delightful blend of locally produced British food with French nouvelle cuisine. With a picturesque dining area, well-kept gardens and locally brewed draught ales, it really is the full package.       The Nut Tree Inn Location: Murcott, Oxfordshire. The Nut Tree Inn has held a Michelin star since 2009. The village pub, run by Mike and Imogen North, is a relaxing spot for a drink after a hard day’s work as well as serving high-quality British food. The pub has a traditional thatched roof in a quaint village setting.       The Sportsman Location: Whitstable, Kent The Sportsman is a typical British pub, the atmosphere and the décor is very relaxed and it is a regular hangout for locals. It has also held a Michelin star since 2008. The Sportsman is simplicity in a nutshell. There are no tablecloths, orders are taken at the bar and you can still drink a pint of beer with your meal. The atmosphere is good and the food better.         The Black Rat Location: Winchester, Hampshire. The Black Rat has been a pub for centuries and the building dates back to the 17th century. It was renovated and reopened in 2006, claiming a Michelin star just a year later. The owner, David Nicholson has lived in Winchester since the mid 1990’s and The Black Rat is his real pride and joy. It is a must for a lover of good food and real ale.         The Hinds Head Location: Bray, Berkshire The people of Bray really are spoilt for choice. The Hinds Head is another gastro-pub boasting a Michelin star since the 2013 guide was published. The 15th century pub is at the heart of the village and head chef Kevin Love offers a combination of traditional seasonal cuisine and historically British food.           The Red Lion Free House Location: East Chisenbury, Wiltshire The Red Lion is a gastro-pub serving fine British fare with a European edge, using local and foraged ingredients. The pub has a thatched roof in the delightful Wiltshire countryside. Head chef Guy Manning focuses on stunningly simple dishes from carefully sourced, seasonal ingredients.       The Treby Arms Location: Sparkwell, Devon The Treby Arms is a vibrant gastro-pub offering a fine dining experience run by 2012 MasterChef winner Anton Piotrowski. The pub has a rustic feel in the Devonshire countryside with a freshly prepared menu designed to tempt and delight anyone in search of fantastic food.               The Star Inn Location: Harome, Yorkshire The Star Inn is a 14th century thatched gastro-pub located on the edge of the North York Moors. The pub was awarded a Michelin star in the 2015 guide, having consistently held a star between 2002 and 2011. Head chef Andrew Pern, places great emphasis on regional and seasonal ingredients and presents a menu firmly rooted in North Yorkshire.   For more information please see: http://www.thestaffcanteen.com/news/michelin-guide-2015-list http://www.thestaffcanteen.com/news/the-2015-michelin-guide-is-released-winners-here By Tom Evans