SIX OF THE BEST
Welsh restaurants earn Michelin stars
SIX Welsh restaurants have earned stars in this year’s Michelin Guide. Michelin stars are considered the most prestigious award in the food industry.
This year there were five Welsh winners of the Michelin one-star awards and one Green Star winner.
The nation lost one star from the 2020 list with the closure of Restaurant James Sommerin in Penarth in July.
But there was a new name on the list, with the Henry Robertson Dining Room at Pale Hall hotel at Llandderfel, near Bala, taking a Green Michelin Star.
This is a new category recognising sustainable practices with high ethical and environmental standards.
Head chef Gareth Stevenson said: “Hopefully this is our first step on our Michelin journey and we will continue to push for a star using the finest local produce wherever possible.”
Angela Harper, who owns Pale Hall with husband Alan, said: “Gareth Stevenson has been with us since the beginning at Pale. When we appointed him, he was relatively untried as a head chef.
“He has repaid our faith in him over and over again and tonight he is receiving the recognition he deserves.
“His vision to create a menu using the very best Wales can provide has been at the very core of every dish he creates.
“He and his team are young and driven; sustainability, the environment and freshness is ever-present in their beliefs and their cooking.”
Five restaurants have retained their Michelin onestar status.
Beach House, in Oxwich, Glamorganshire, has earned a brilliant reputation for its food.
Head chef Hywel Griffith says he is passionate about local produce, sought from all over the Gower and Wales, boasting creativity and skill in each dish.
The chef tweeted: “Absolutely delighted we have retained our Michelin star for 2021.”
Sosban and The Old Butchers, Menai Bridge, was named as one of the best restaurants in the UK as part of the Good Food Guide 2020.
Run by Stephen and Bethan Stevens, the restaurant is located in what used to be a butcher’s shop. It has just 16 covers, which are released months in advance.
The company tweeted:
“Delighted to have retained our #MICHELINSTAR21 in this year’s @MichelinGuideUK. Great news for all the team and a huge congratulations to all the new 2021 stars.”
Sitting just a couple of miles from Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, The Walnut Tree Inn has 20 tables and seats up to 70 diners.
It is run by Shaun Hill, one of the most experienced chefs in the industry. Michelin stars have followed Hill wherever he has worked.
Chef Chris Harrod of The
Whitebrook in Monmouth specialises in using ingredients foraged from the local area, and the wine list champions local tipples.
Set next to the stunning Dyfi Estuary, Ynyshir in Machynlleth serves set menus using the best seasonal ingredients.
Under head chef Gareth Ward, diners can see the action with the open kitchen and have their dinner served by the chefs, who explain how it was created.
Meanwhile Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias in Colwyn Bay retained its Bib Gourmand for a third year. These are awarded to excellent restaurants where the food is very good and at a very reasonable price.
The restaurant tweeted: “We have some good news in these uncertain times. We are very proud and thankful to of retained our fantastic Bib Gourmand for our 3rd year. We hope to see you all as soon as possible to celebrate with us.”
‘End of an era’ for former Michelin-starred restaurant: P10.