Michelin Guide 2020: chefs react to new stars
Chefs and restaurant teams have been celebrating their success, and we've rounded up some of the responses.
The Greenhouse
There were two stars for the Dublin restaurant, with Michelin praising its 'flair' and dishes with 'plenty of personality'. Chef Mickael Viljanen literally swept Raymond Blanc, who was helping to present the awards, off his feet when the win was announced [see above]. The restaurant took to Twitter afterwards, writing: "[Big] thanks to our guests & our brilliant team both past & present who helped us make this happen - we love you all! This will not make us rest & next year we will continue to push on!"
Aimsir
One of several other Irish stars went to Aimsir in Kildare, which made its guide debut with two stars only four and a half months after opening. Chef Jordan Bailey, who previously led the kitchen at Maaemo in Oslo, wrote on Twitter: "Wow, Wow, wow !!! 4 1/2 months! Still speechless and very emotional. We did it team ❤️ We did it Ireland"
La Dame de Pic
Lauded French chef Anne-Sophie Pic won a second star for her restaurant at The Four Seasons Hotel in London's Ten Trinity Square. Pic says: "To be awarded a second star only two years after opening is a huge honour and I'm incredibly proud of my whole team at La Dame de Pic London.”
Pensons
Chef Lee Westcott's Pensons won a star just eight months after its launch on the Herefordshire/Worcestershire border. Westcott says: “I’m immensely proud of the entire team at Pensons, whose hard work has made this possible, and who took a chance on a new opening in the heart of the countryside. We’re also so grateful to the local community who have been so welcoming to us, and would like to thank the excellent suppliers, artisans and craftspeople we work with who help to bring the project to life.”
Mana
Manchester was awarded its first star in four decades, following years of talk around the city’s conspicuous absence from the red book. Former Noma chef Simon Martin opened Mana in October last year and won praise from the guide for his ‘nods to modern Nordic cuisine’.
Can’t describe how I feel right now after being awarded a @MichelinGuideUK star for mana. We’ve been open such a short space of time and have achieved so much. Thank you to my amazing (and hilarious) team, my partners and my friends. It’s just the beginning ❤️
— Simon Martin (@Simonmartinmana) October 8, 2019
Sketch
This year’s only new three-star restaurant was Sketch in London’s Mayfair, which has held two stars since 2013.
#ThreeMichelinStars! Congrats to all our staff who have worked so hard to keep our Lecture Room & Library shining bright. Special thanks to Head Chef, Johannes Nuding, who works tirelessly to create exquisite food for our customers. We’re so proud of our sketch team!#sketchLondonpic.twitter.com/iEyvzQQb1p
— sketch (@sketchlondon) October 7, 2019
Opheem
Chef Aktar Islam's Opheem in Birmingham became the first Indian restaurant outside of London to win a Michelin star. The city now has five starred restaurants in the guide, the highest number of entries outside London.
By order of the brummy chefs @opheemrestaurant @restaurantadams @simpsons_restaurant @purnellsrestaurant @hamptonmanor @cartersofmoseley love you guys keeping #birmingham on the culinary map #6stars#michelinguide #2020 https://t.co/l853MhlTSCpic.twitter.com/SyHFpmlZRn
— Luke Tipping (@LukeTipping1) October 7, 2019
There were also celebrations from restaurants that retained their long-standing stars.
Restaurant Andrew Fairlie
In Scotland Restaurant Andrew Fairlie held on to its two stars for a 13th year, with Michelin commenting that the team continue to 'honour the memory' of the site's eponymous founder, who passed away in January. Dale Dewsbury, general manager, says: “It has undoubtedly been a sad year for us, but our enthusiasm, determination and standards remain higher than ever, and we’re thrilled - as Andrew would be - that this is being celebrated.”
Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons
Just a year after Raymond Blanc created @lemanoir in 1984, it was awarded two Michelin stars. Today, we are honoured to have retained our two Michelin stars for a 35th year. Thank you to our amazing team who help us achieve excellence year on after year.#MICHELINguideGBIpic.twitter.com/qLVbWkIWmK
— Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons (@lemanoir) October 7, 2019
Gordon Ramsay Group
The #Michelin Man is looking over both @restaurant_gr and @petrus who’ve both maintained their @MichelinGuideUK stars !! Big congrats to the teams at both restaurants who’s hard work made this possible ! A big Congrats to all the new ⭐️ recipients as well ! pic.twitter.com/19kO7DkuYO
— Gordon Ramsay (@GordonRamsay) October 7, 2019
To see the full list of new star winners for 2020 click here.
