New Michelin stars for 2009

There were no new three-Michelin-starred restaurants in the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2009, but the prestigious guidebook has named four new two-Michelin-starred restaurants in England.

The results, due to be posted up on the Michelin website at 8am this Wednesday (21 February) and in bookshops this Friday, were available on the guidebook's website this weekend.

The four new two Michelin stars are Martin Burge's The Dining Room at Whatley Manor in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, and in London Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester, Claude Bosi's Hibiscus and L'Atelier de Joël Robouchon.

One restaurant has been tipped as a rising three - Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester.

Three restaurants have been tipped for two Michelin stars in 2010 guide - London restaurants Tom Aikens and Brett Graham's the Ledbury, while Nathan Outlaw at the Marina Villa Hotel, Fowey, tipped last year as a rising two, remains at that status.

There are 26 new one-Michelin-star restaurants, including Michael Wignall at The Latymer, Surrey; Glynn Purnell's eponymous restaurant Purnell's, in Birmingham; The Nut Tree, Murcott, Oxfordshire; Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, London and Angela Harnett's new opening Murano also in London.

In a press statement, editor Derek Bulmer said: "We have never awarded so many stars in a single year before. We can now boast of having a truly mature, rich and exciting restaurant scene. These new stars have been awarded to a host of establishments from gastro pubs and family-run locals, to country hotels and fashionable London restaurants. Among these we have new stars for Chinese, Italian, French and British cuisine.

"There is now a better geographical spread of starred restaurants throughout the country from the Isle of Wight to Lochinver in the Scottish Highlands, and the four new stars in Scotland is particularly good news.

"We have also seen an increase in the number of refreshingly informal restaurants where the cooking is very good.

"This was another good year for London. With plenty of new restaurant openings, the capital can boast of having the one of the most varied and diverse restaurant scenes in the world.

"However, there is no doubt that 2009 will bring challenging times for hotels and restaurants. I am hopeful that the hospitality industry will prove to be resilient; that customers continue to support their local pub or restaurant and that dining out will remain part of our lives. Our inspectors will continue to search out those establishments which not only maintain their standards but also offer value for money to their customers."

One-Michelin-star restaurants in England >>

One-Michelin-star restaurants in London >>

One-Michelin-star restaurants in Scotland, Wales and Ireland >>

Two-Michelin-star restaurants >>

By Amanda Afiya

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