Michelin Stars

Michelin stars 2011: the round-up

Seven London restaurants have been awarded their first Michelin star by this year’s judging panel, bringing the total number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the capital to 53. Nuno Mendes’ Viajante (pictured) and the Galvin brothers’ La Chapelle were among the one-star recipients predicted by Square Meal. Also awarded one star were Kitchen W8 in Kensington, Seven Park Place at the St James’s Hotel & Club, Gauthier Soho, Petersham Nurseries Café and Pétrus in Knightsbridge.

Michelin stars 2010

Looking for some hot foodie debate? Look no further – The 2010 Michelin stars for Great Britain and Ireland have been announced, with eight new stars being awarded in London. The two big winners are Alain Ducasse, who received three stars at Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester, and Brett Graham, who received two stars at The Ledbury, plus one star at the Harwood Arms.

Michelin Stars 2009

Three London restaurants were awarded two stars in this year’s Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland. West End, French big hitters Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Hibiscus and L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon (pictured left) all reached double-starred heights, while eight restaurants received the accolade of one star.

Michelin Stars 2008

London's Hibiscus, Quilon, Rhodes W1 Restaurant, La Trompette and Wild Honey (pictured left) were all awarded one Michelin star in the recently unveiled Michelin Guide to Great Britain & Ireland 2008.

Anthony Demetre, chef-proprietor of Wild Honey, told us that he’s even more shell-shocked than when sister restaurant Arbutus received a star last year. He puts it down to ‘great cooking combined with sensitive prices’. Similar feelings of surprise were voiced by Sriram Aylur, chef-director at Quilon, who said the announcement ‘came totally out of the blue’. The Victoria restaurant has been open for eight years and serves food from India’s south-west coast.

Only Marylebone’s Orrery restaurant lost its Michelin star. No restaurants were upgraded to two-star status, nor did any achieve the ultimate accolade of three stars. Derek Bulmer, editor of the Michelin Guide to Great Britain & Ireland 2008, said the lack of new two and three star restaurants reflects London’s trend for informal restaurants and praised the capital’s restaurant scene for its diversity. He also said the future looks healthy and that he wouldn't be surprised to see another three-star restaurant in the next couple of years.