Michelin Guide, Great Britain & Ireland 2013

[david goodfellow]

Less than two weeks before this eagerly awaited guide is released. Chefs and restaurateurs have their fingers crossed hoping to gain recognition, as this really is the guide the industry respects above all others.

OK, who's getting their first star? Who's getting there second or third? Who will lose theirs?

For what its worth.

This is to start the ball rolling.

I have eaten quite a lot of Simon Rogan's food this year along with a very good selection of other one and two star chefs.

He is easily on par with all of the two star chefs and if he does not get his second star this year there is some kind of conspiricy going on.

Of the new stars Medlar is head and shoulders up there for recognition.

More to follow.

[MarkAli]

next thursday!!!!

I would like to see

Paul Foster at Tuddenham Mill get one

Alyn Williams at the Westbury get one

as for 2 and 3 who knows

[david goodfellow]

Yes. Agree on Alyn Williams had a very good meal there about three weeks ago.

Not tried Paul food yet but will do on Weds at Nutters in Rochdale at the Dingly Dell Pork extravaganza.

Cambridge is due another star is it not?

[MarkAli]

haha not for me to say Dingley Dell at nutters sounds like a great night

[Harters]

When Aumbry opened, it was touted as the place that was finally going to bring a star to Greater Manchester (yes, I know we'd all heard that before - several times).

Ii's taken a couple of years but I think it may now be ready.

[Gary Marshall]

I was just thinking in the old days this would have been 12 pages long by now, and whether the results might even not be mentioned until publication!

Michelin appears to favour evolution over revolution. If they think the same way as the many starred chefs that have graced its dining room Hedone should be nailed on.

However as we have seen with many new individual restuarants over the years such as Anthony's, Fraiche, and L'Enclume, Michelin are in no rush to award stars to newly formed businesses with little in the way of history with the guide, hence many 'new' stars historically go to former star holders in new places, and 'new' places can wait a long time to become recognised, and a good clutch of stars will go places completely un-mentioned on food boards or blogs!

Sat Bains waited a long time for his second, and with Roganic and other expansion in Cartmel wouldn't be surprised if L'Enclume wasn't upgraded this year either, regardless of what's currently on the plate.

I hope the Star at Harome gets theirs back, and The Pheasant is an outside chance, I thought the Star was going to be the first 2* pub easily, which just goes to prove how little I know. (If that were in doubt.....)

Edited September 25, 2012 by Gary Marshall (log)

[marcusjames]

I've said this before and I'll say it again: I think Michelin have a real element of a petulant child about them. The problem a number of UK chefs had in recent years is GFG and AA recognised their talent long before Michelin and my theory is they don't like being beaten to the punch. Wareing and Sat are two prime cases in point who shot up the ranks of 'other' guides and then waited longer than they should for their second stars. There are a number of current chefs who now face the same probem (although the best example is perhaps to be found overseas at Noma), so it will be interesting to see what happens this year.

My money on major activity for this year is going to Scotland and Edinburgh. I wouldn't be surprised if Wishart and / or Kitchin get elevated and, as a total left field prediction, a possible third for Fairlie. Having eaten his food this year I think his style and execution is slap bang center of the target in terms of what Michelin favour. They threw a wild card at us last year in the form of the Hand & Flowers and I wouldn't put them past awarding the first three star north of the border as this years talking point. Not to mention the fact he's flown under the radar relative to his peers so could be, for want of a better word, their 'discovery'.

[Jon Tseng]

Oh is it that time again already? Is this year the one where the cycle is shortened because they're bringing all the guides into sync?

Does Medlar have a star? If not they should be a good bet for *. They've now been running long enough to satisfy the consistency point.

[Gary Marshall]

think that was last year, i thought the same initially.

[andy83]

L'enclume has 2 stars, via Michelin is showing new stars now

[liuzhou]

this really is the guide the industry respects above all others.

Really?

I think most people are utterly bored. Industry and more importantly, customers.

[Scott]

this really is the guide the industry respects above all others.

Really?

I think most people are utterly bored. Industry and more importantly, customers.

I don't. in fact I don't think there is any comparison.

Michelin is the gold standard that translates across language and country. you can argue whether it should be (and probably make a decent case), but not whether it is.

Edited September 27, 2012 by Scott (log)

[Jon Tseng]

Oooh interesting. Sketch is showing **, Alyn Williams *, Dabbous *, Medlar *, Hedone *

Just go to viamichelin restaurants and search London...

:-)

[MaLO]

Two for pennyhill park, one for Hinds head, one for Paul Ainsworth in Padstow.

[Jon Tseng]

Doesn't look like any new ***s (wouldn't have expected any, but David Everitt-M must be getting bored of his ** by now!)

Looks like Greenhouse, Petersham Nurseries have kept their * despite changes of chef. Ditto North Road (although I think that change may have been late for this guide). No star for Anima - Mazzei must be getting a bit fed up by now!

Overall apart from maybe Sketch going to **s I don't feel there's any big surprises. Maybe I'd have thought they'd have waiting a year to macaron Dabbous and Alyn Williams, given they waited for Hedone and Medlar?

Amused by michelins unending ability to cock-up the release of the mich star release. Reminds me of our 4x100m relay team!

J

Edited September 27, 2012 by Jon Tseng (log)

[Harters]

Looks like Sharrow Bay has lost theirs. I think that's the only change in the north west.

[marcusjames]

L'Enclume finally showing 2 as well!

Did Trishna get starred last year, they may have picked one up otherwise.

And has Thackery's won theirs back?

Shame about Sharrow after so many years. That must be down to the whole Von Essen fall out.

[Harters]

Correction - Sharrow Bay still has it. It didnt come up on my first search but looking for somewhere else it popped up (maybe it had been a site error that's now corrected). Reassuring.

[david goodfellow]

Fantastic news for Mark Poynton at Alimentum I thought it was about time he got one.

Michael Wignall at Pennyhill Park as well. Much much deserved, top chef indeed.

Simon Rogan just had to get his second. Long overdue but finally.

Hooray Michelin

[Scott]

it looks like its now been taken down from via michelin.

[david goodfellow]

Medlar.

It was just so right from the beginning. Great food from Joe. One of the best front of house in the business in David.

Its going to be rammed now. Good job they expanded upstairs.

[Harters]

Seems to be still unclear if the website is entirely accurate:

http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/27/09/2012/345493/Michelin-accidentally-reveals-some-new-stars-for-2013.htm

[Corinna Dunne]

Great celebrations in Dublin, Locks Brasserie won a Michelin star, it’s been confirmed their end. So thrilled for them, a brilliant team, wonderful room, food, and service. Interesting move on Michelin’s part. Locks is more Wild Honey than stuffy formal dining, so great to see this type of restaurant get an award in Ireland.

The Greenhouse must be disappointed. On my two visits there, I was hugely impressed with Mickael Viljanen’s cooking. Maybe it’s too soon… or maybe Michelin is getting a little bit less Michelin and looking for a more relaxed vibe at one star level.

[Simon_S]

I think in the case of the Greenhouse it really was just too soon. They only opened in, what, April? Can't imagine they were actually expecting one. If they're not in next year, that will be a surprise/disappointment I think.

I'm surprised at Lock's, I have to say. I liked the restaurant certainly on my one or two visits, but it was never on my Michelin radar. Must go back.

[John Ferris]

Simon/Corinna, interviewed Mickael a few months ago and he was not expecting one this year. The only shock would be if Greenhouse didn't get one next year.