It’s that time of the year again and chefs across Great Britain and Ireland are bracing themselves for the release of the annual Michelin guide.
Tomorrow (23 January) is the big day they’ve all been waiting for and full coverage of the results will be going up live on Caterersearch from lunchtime.
But as Kitchen Rat spends a lot of time trying to uncover gossip in the restaurant and cheffing sector, I'd thought I'd let you know, what I think about who the winners in the 2008 race for Michelin stars will be.
Now, there have been rumours that no additional three stars will be given away in the UK, making 2008 the fourth year running in which Michelin has declined to award a UK chef its top accolade.
And while particularly pessimistic voices suggest there won’t be any new two-starred restaurants either, I dare to disagree and reckon that chefs Tom Aikens and Sat Bains have a good chance of stepping up to the two-star level. Also, let’s not forget Foliage at London’s Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, which in last year’s guide was the only restaurant hailed as a rising two-starred establishment.
The big question is of course is whether Hibiscus will retain its two stars following its relocation from Ludlow to London and I’d be very surprised if Claude and Claire Bosi fail to deliver.
Newcomers to be awarded their first star in this year’s ratings will most likely include Theo Randall and Galvin at Windows as well as Anthony Demetre and Will Smith’s amazingly successful second restaurant Wild Honey. Outside of the capital, my money is on Glynn Purnell's first solo venture, Purnell's in Birmingham.
Do you agree with the Rat's predictions or have I made any serious blunders? Let me know what you think and all shall be revealed tomorrow.
Comments (2)
In the northern wildnerness, I'd like to see Hipping Hall near Kirkby Lonsdale get the star it deserves. Similarly, the Dining Room in Rawtenstall too.
I agree, it will be interesting to see what Hibiscus gets.
Not sure about Tom Aikens, but Sat Bains? Maybe.
Posted by Andrew | January 22, 2008 5:26 PM
Posted on January 22, 2008 17:26
I hope that Chris Staines's restaurnt Foliage gets 2 stars mainly because i think that he and his food deserves it more so than say Tom Aikens does, as for Sat Baines i personally do not think his food is better than say what Simon Rogan is currently serving up at his restaurant L'enclume in Cartmel because his food really does deserve two stars. Also i think it is about time Anthony Flinn get's a Michelin star aswell, and also the Sportsman in Whistable in Kent because i think that it is the best Gastro Pub in Britain by a country mile, also one more thing i know this will probably never happen but Gordon Ramsay's 3 star restaurant needs demoting to 2 stars because i think the food there is quiet boring, if there can be such a thing as boring food in a 3 star Michelin restaurant IMO
Posted by paul | January 22, 2008 11:21 PM
Posted on January 22, 2008 23:21