21 pubs now have Michelin stars

29-Mar-2023 - Last updated on 29-Mar-2023 at 09:57 GMT

Shoot for the stars: Sector celebrated in Michelin Guide

A grand total of 21 pubs now have Michelin Stars, it was revealed in the 2023 Michelin Guide at a ceremony on Monday (27 March).

Gastropubs the Pentonbridge Inn, Carlisle, and Cumbria-based restaurant and inn Heft in Newton, Cartmel, were “over the moon” after scooping their first stars.

The event, held in person for the first time since the pandemic, saw chefs and professionals from the sector gather at Silverstone Circuit to celebrate this year’s Michelin-rated restaurants.

The Pentonbridge Inn team said they were “overwhelmed” to be awarded one Michelin star. A spokesperson added: “This has been a long journey for our head chef Chris Archer, and the team at Pentonbridge Inn.

“Thank you to everyone who made this possible, and to our guests for being a part of this journey.”

During the ceremony, a total of 20 new Michelin One Star awards were presented to a variety of eateries, four new Michelin Green Stars and three new Michelin Two Star awards were presented, with no new Michelin Three Star awards presented this year.

The Michelin star was “totally unexpected” for Kevin and Nicola Tickle, who are at the helm of Heft in Newton.

Cause for celebration

They said: “We really didn’t think we would be in the running this year, we really can’t describe what this means to us both, especially with all that’s been thrown at us in the last couple of years.

“We couldn’t be prouder of everyone that works with us; for us this is a real team effort.”

They hoped the work they’d put in to the pub had helped build a solid foundation for the future.

A total of 188 restaurants in the UK hold at least one Michelin Star. There are 160 one Michelin Star restaurants, 20 two Michelin Star restaurants and just 8 three Michelin Star restaurants in the UK.

Tom Kerridge’s pub the Hand & Flowers in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, retained its status as the only two-starred gastropub, while his other site the Coach, also in Marlow, secured its single star.

Raising a glass

Hand & Flowers head chef Tom De Keyser said: “I am delighted, myself, the kitchen and front of house team work so hard throughout the year to keep the standards as high as they can be, and I couldn’t be prouder of the team. There will definitely be a few celebratory drinks!”.

What’s more, the Coach head chef Sarah Hayward won big at the awards, taking home the Young Chef Award.

Hayward said she was “blown away” and “humbled” to receive the award. She continued: “I have so much respect for Michelin and I know how proud my dad will be, being a chef himself.”

The Bridge Arms in Canterbury, Kent and Cumbria-based Dog & Gun Inn retained their stars after winning them last year.