‘Time for a new direction': Checkers restaurant to hand back Michelin star
The owners of the Checkers restaurant with rooms will hand back the Michelin star it has held since 2011 as they pursue a new direction.
The Grade II-listed former coaching inn, in the Welsh border town of Montgomery, is run by chefs Stéphane Borie and Sarah Francis who are joined by Sarah's sister Kathryn Francis, who looks after front-of-house operations.
Kathryn told The Caterer: "We thought long and hard about taking our business in a new direction, having a star is the ultimate benchmark of the trade and we have treasured ours for seven years.
"But it was time to take a new direction - one that frees Stéphane up to do more freelance and private work and one that made having our own business a little more family friendly.
"Sarah and I both have key roles and have five children between our two families, it will be lovely to have more evenings at home and to be a little less nocturnal!
"We will be open for breakfast, coffee, cakes and light lunches and will continue with our lovely B&B offering over five days, with Sarah taking the lead in the kitchen. She is an accomplished chef and with all of the children now in school it is the perfect time to make a greater commitment to day time trade."
Kathryn said the restaurant's strong local following and the area's growing tourism market would support the new offering.
She said that the team have "huge respect" for what a Michelin star stands for and this was why it was important for them to contact the guide in September and let them know about the changes.
Sarah's partner Borie will continue to join the sisters for bespoke events and pop-up suppers throughout the year.
Boire and Sarah both trained with Michel Roux at the three-Michelin-starred Waterside Inn in Bray, Berkshire prior to opening the Checkers.
The Checkers will host its last evening service on 27 October, reopening as Checkers Pantry in mid November.
The owners had looked to sell the property or its leasehold earlier this year.
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