The publishing of the Michelin Guide to Great Britain & Ireland usually sees some of Gloucestershire’s best restaurants awarded a fresh constellation of coveted Michelin Stars, however, local foodies have been left disappointed by the 2020 edition.
The world famous gastronomic guide to the UK’s top restaurants has recognised just one Gloucestershire eatery with Michelin Stars in the 2020 edition, which was officially published on Monday 7 October 2019.
There has been widespread surprise that Gloucestershire’s Le Champignon Sauvage in Cheltenham lost its two Michelin Star rating last year, falling to a one Michelin Star restaurant in 2019, which it has maintained in the 2020 edition.
And there was even further disappointment that Made by Bob has lost its Bib Gourmand in the 2020 Michelin Guide, meaning that Gloucestershire no longer has any Bib Gourmands either.
Gloucester-born chef Tom Kerridge's pub, The Hand and Flowers in Marlow, meanwhile, maintained its impressive two Michelin star rating.
The Michelin Guide to Great Britain & Ireland 2020 says that three Michelin Stars indicates ‘exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.’ This year, five restaurants in the UK were awarded three Michelin Stars. Unfortunately, discerning diners will have to travel outside of Gloucestershire to experience any of these restaurants.
The Michelin Guide to Great Britain & Ireland 2020 says two Michelin Stars indicates ‘excellent cooking, worth a detour’. And in what might came as a shock to many a Cheltenham gastronome, Le Champignon Sauvage lost its two Star Michelin status in the 2019 edition.
The Michelin Guide to Great Britain & Ireland 2020 says one Michelin Star indicates ‘a very good restaurant in its category’.
In 2019, The Butchers Arms in Eldersfield, on the Gloucestershire-Worcestershire border, lost its one Michelin Star rating.
This comes as further disappointment to Gloucestershire’s discerning foodies, with 5 North Street in Winchcombe, Lords of the Manor Restaurant in Upper Slaughter and The Wild Rabbit in Kingham having all lost their Michelin Stars in 2018.
The previously-two Starred restaurant, Le Champignon Sauvage, is currently Gloucestershire’s only Michelin Starred restaurant.
Le Champignon Sauvage has remained one of Cheltenham and Gloucestershire’s finest restaurants since it was opened in 1987 by chef David Everitt-Matthias and his wife Helen. Serving modern French food made from the finest ingredients, Le Champignon Sauvage has become both a favourite with Gloucestershire foodies, as well as gastronomes travelling to the county especially to dine at the renowned restaurant in The Suffolks area of Cheltenham.
A sample menu includes: dived scallops with baby squid, crown prince pumpkin purée and squid ink sauce for starter; roasted cod, confit of chicken wings, chicken juices, salsify and woodruff for main course; and chocolate delice, milk ice-cream, buerre noisette and butterscotch for dessert.
As well as awarding the famous Michelin Stars, since 1997 the Michelin guides have also included Bib Gourmand awards in recognition of establishments offering ‘good food at moderate prices’. At these establishments diners can enjoy three quality courses for less than £28.
In the 2020 guide, 132 restaurants and gastropubs were awarded a Bib Gourmand, sadly none of which fall within the Gloucestershire borders as Made by Bob has lost its Bib Gourmand in the 2020 Michelin Guide.
By Michelle Fyrne
© SoGlos
Monday 14 October 2019
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