Michelin Guide 2014 out next week

Those who enjoy fine dining or just a good feed needn’t wait long for the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2014. It will be released on 4 October, and Michelin has given a heads up on what’s to expect in the latest edition.

Two London restaurants, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and The Greenhouse, have earned a second star, while 15 restaurants have gained their first star. These are: wilks, an unpretentious neighbourhood restaurant in Bristol, and Campagne, a contemporary Kilkenny restaurant run by a dedicated couple. In London, Lima is the first Peruvian restaurant to gain a star and highlights the increasing popularity of South American cuisine. Two seafood restaurants – Angler and Outlaw’s at The Capital – and two Chinese restaurants – HKK and Bo London – have been awarded a star, while another of Jason Atherton’s restaurants, Social Eating House, has also earned this distinction. Starts have also been awarded a young British chef (Story in Bermondsey) and an experienced French chef returning to the UK (Brasserie Chavot).

“We have never produced a GB & Ireland guide that provides our readers with such diversity and variety,” comments Guide editor Rebecca Burr. “Fantastic B&Bs, wonderful pubs, stylish hotels, world class restaurants and great value eateries – we have them all in our guide.

“In the last year we’ve seen the rise of relaxed counter dining but also the opening of some big brasseries,” Burr reflects. “Dining is becoming a less structured, less formal affair and opening times and menus are more flexible to reflect the way we live our lives. Single concept restaurants focusing on one or two dishes have also continued to open.

“The Michelin guide has always reflected what’s out there and London in particular has never offered so much choice – there really is something for everyone and for every occasion and there appears to be no end to the number of exciting new restaurant openings. With cuisines and culinary influences from all parts of the globe, it’s no surprise that the capital is one of the most exciting cities in the world for food.

“We’ve seen internationally acclaimed chefs open restaurants over here but we’re also delighted to witness the rise of the next generation of talented British chefs and the continued evolution of British cooking,” concludes Burr.

The Bib Gourmands section, which recognises establishments offering good food at affordable prices (the limit being £28 for three courses), is very popular with Guide readers, and this year 27 new additions have been made. The guide now has 143 ‘Bibs’ and this year’s newcomers stretch from Edinburgh (Galvin Brasserie de Luxe) and Belfast (Coppi and Home) to Ramsbottom (Hearth of the Ram) and Newlyn (Tolcarne Inn).

Also due for release on 4 October is the Michelin Guide London 2014, priced at £11.99 (€12.99 in Ireland). This guide provides extended text on London’s restaurants, with additional photographs and information on all starred establishments, as well as a pull-out map. It also includes a selection of London’s best hotels, across all categories of comfort.