Peterborough’s sole entry in the Michelin restaurant guide 2021

Peterborough’s newest entry in the prestigious, annual Michelin Guide this week became the only one. The Chubby Castor, a fine dining restaurant in the former Fitzwilliam Arms at Castor, only opened in February 2018 and later that year earned a listing in the 2019 guide, alongside Peterborough foodie favourites Prevost (now at The Haycock and being refurbished) and The Fox at Folksworth (closed). The Beehive (closed) and Glinton’s Blue Bell had long been included too.

However, when the much-delayed 2021 guide was published last week, “civilised dining” venue The Chubby Castor was the sole Peterborough entrant, earning a “Michelin Plate” listing, which recognises “good cooking”.

The guide says: “Having spent most of his life in London, Adebola Adeshina (chef patron) found a new home in this 400 year old thatched pub.

“Inside it’s surprisingly modern, with a smart lounge and an intimate linen-laid dining room.

“Time-honoured recipes are reworked, with flavourful dishes presented in a restrained modern vein.”

Today chef Ade - whose food has found favour with Michelin in the past - was grateful for the recognition.

“I come from along that line of working in restaurants that have been featured by Michelin,” said the chef whose CV includes spells at Michelin Starred Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and Petrus.

“But this is my business and the important thing is that it is making money, to pay the bills, to pay the staff.

“The awards are the icing on the cake - it is the industry saying you are cooking good food, which is what we all set out to do.

“It is nice to be included again for the third time, when we are just coming up to our third anniversary,”

The restaurant is, of course, closed due to the ongoing lockdown and Ade doesn’t see that ending as far as the hospitality trade is concerned for sometime.

“It has been a difficult time in some ways, opening and closing again, but we have taken a cautious approach, financially, and we shall open again as soon as we are allowed to safely, which I think might not be until after Easter.

“Until then we shall continue to look at our business model and plan for the future. The business has evolved so much in the three years since we opened, getting to know the area, our customers, our cooking and service, and will continue to do so as we move to the next level.”

The Six Bells at Witham on the Hill - between Bourne and Stamford - is the closest to Peterborough listed.