Birmingham’s three Michelin star restaurants have cemented their places in national gastronomy by keeping their coveted status in the guide’s centenary year.
Purnell’s, Simpsons and Turners all had their stars reconfirmed in the Michelin Guide 2011.
Mallory Court in Leamington Spa, Ludlow’s La Becasse and Mr Underhill’s, plus Lords of the Manor at Upper Slaughter, Gloucs, also maintained their one-star ranking.
Michelin’s new editor in chief Rebecca Burr said: “This centenary edition underlines the UK’s greatest strength which is the rich diversity and variety of its restaurants. The country embraces all kinds of restaurants and every type of cuisine and the public’s appetite shows no signs of abating.
“There is no doubt that 2010 was a difficult year but those hotels and restaurants that represented value for money, at whatever price, were the ones who were best placed to weather the storm.
“We found 12 new one star establishments and awarded 26 new Bib Gourmands which readers particularly appreciate for their moderate prices.”
There are two new two-star restaurants – Hélène Darroze at The Connaught in London and Nathan Outlaw in Rock, Cornwall – but no promotions to the ultimate three-star level.
There are now 123 (12 new) one-star restaurants, 16 (2 new) two-stars and four three-stars restaurants (Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea and Bray’s The Fat Duck and The Waterside Inn).
The first Michelin Guide to the British Isles was published in 1911, with the aim of helping motorists on their travels, highlighting details on hotels and repair shops. The current Great Britain & Ireland guide was launched in 1974.
