Fat Duck scores perfect 10

The Fat Duck restaurant in Bray, Berkshire, has been awarded the maximum score in the 2009 edition of The Good Food Guide for "cooking perfectly on a consistent basis".

It is the first time in four years the authors of the guide have given a restaurant 10 out of 10. The only others to have achieved full marks in the last nine years were Gordon Ramsay`s Chelsea restaurant in 2005 and Nico Ladenis` Chez Nico.

The Fat Duck scored nine in last year’s Guide, but notes from restaurant inspectors and diners this year showed it had stepped up a gear to become the "best restaurant in Britain"

Elizabeth Carter, editor of The Good Food Guide, said: “What do we want a restaurant to do? Feed us well, memorably, courteously, and offer value for money. The Fat Duck does all that – and much more. It’s great fun and it all adds up to a dining experience of the most wondrous enchantment.

“It’s extremely rare that a restaurant cooks perfectly on a consistent basis, but we’ve had so many superlative reports that we’re delighted to recognise The Fat Duck as the best restaurant in Britain.”

Blumenthal, whose restaurant came second in the San Pellegrino 50 Best Restaurants said: “The world wide recognition we receive at the Fat Duck is greatly welcomed, however first and foremost I am very proud to be British and overwhelmed at being voted the best restaurant in the UK by The Good Food Guide.

“The Guide has been instrumental, almost fundamental in improving the quality and standards of cooking in this country and the general public’s awareness about food and restaurants. It is fantastic to know that it is both our customers as well as the inspectors who have voted for us."

The 2009 edition of the Good Food Guide is out on September 4.