A host of new restaurants have been named in the Michelin Guide Italy 2014 with 29 receiving stars for the first time. This year’s edition features one new three-starred restaurant, Reale, which is located in Castel Di Sangro.

The editor-in-chief of the Michelin guide Italy, Sergio Lovrinovich, was very impressed by young chef Niko Romito’s extraordinary cooking style.

He said: “He’s a chef whose personality infuses each of his dishes. His minimalist presentations exude flavours that are pure and intense yet subtly balanced. They reflect his perfectly controlled technique as well as his inspiration, which draws on local influences.”

As well as this, three new restaurants were awarded two stars. Chef Stefano Baiocco’s Villa Feltrinelli in Gargnano, Enrico Bartolini managed Devero in Cavenago and Locanda Don Serafino in Ragusa and run by Vincenzo Candiano made the grade. The latter duo represents a new trend in this year’s guide. Both Enrico and Vincenzo are only aged 34 and illustrate the emergence of a new generation of promising young talent.

>>> Related: An insight into Italian cuisine

One-third of the chefs awarded one of more stars this year are less than 35 years old and two of them are under 30. Despite some economic struggles across Italy, Michelin inspectors were suitably impressed as they scoured the country as shown by the fact the number of Bib Gourmand restaurants has increased by 25% since 2010.

Michael Ellis, International Director of the Michelin guides, said: “(The 2014 Michelin guide Italy) showcases the excellence of Italian gourmet cooking and the wealth of its regions, as demonstrated by the 294 Bib Gourmand and 329 starred restaurants. The guide has the second most stars of any in the collection.”

Of the 329 starred restaurants, 8 received three stars, 40 picked up two stars and a further 281 have a Michelin star to their name.

The 2014 Michelin guide Italy will be available in sales outlets on 7 November priced at 22 Euros.

>>> Read more about the Michelin Guide here

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