Jason Atherton awarded Michelin star in New York
Jason Atherton's Clocktower restaurant at the New York Edition hotel has been awarded a Michelin star in the 2018 edition of the guide.
Launched in 2015, the New York Edition was the fourth hotel in the lifestyle brand of properties created by Ian Schrager and Marriott International.
The Clocktower is located on the second floor of the iconic Metropolitan Life building and headed up by chef de cuisine Danila Bogdan, executive pastry chef Brian Yurko and general manager James Horn of Starr Restaurants. It is the first collaboration between Atherton and seasoned US restaurateur Stephen Starr.
The 90-seat restaurant comprises three intimate dining rooms, a billiards room and a bar. In a nod to Berners Tavern at the London Edition, where Atherton first partnered with Schrager in 2013, the walls are adorned with vintage black and white photos.
Speaking exclusively to The Caterer, Atherton said: "I'm so proud of Danila. Having worked at Pollen Street Social and Petrus prior to that, he's gone over there and, of course, it's taken a couple of years to settle down and get used to all the produce. But this year, we knew we were cooking really solid food there, it felt right. Brian Yurko is a pastry chef with a solid background and his desserts are amazing.
"It's been really good being part of an organisation like Stephen Starr's. He has an amazing palate as a restaurateur and he has helped to navigate us through the menu and create something right for the New York market."
The latest award brings Atherton's tally to four Michelin stars worldwide within the Social Company.
Atherton, who was named Group Restaurateur of the Year at the 2017 Cateys, continued: "To think that we are the first Michelin-starred restaurant in the Edition portfolio is incredible, a stable that I am very proud to be part of. Ian Schrager believed in us at Berners Tavern and it was wonderful to be asked to do New York.
"It's strange, I operate in five or six other countries, but this is New York and it's a big deal! After all these years, I've been travelling all around the world, but when I get out at the airport at JFK and get in a cab and go over the Williamsburg Bridge, I think ‘I'm a boy from Skegness, what am I doing with a restaurant in New York?' It's insane.
Elsewhere in the guide, Jean-Georges, widely regarded as one of the city's finest French restaurants, was demoted to two Michelin stars. It was first awarded Michelin's top honour in 2006 when the guidebook first launched in the city.
Sushi restaurant Ginza Onodera was promoted to two Michelin stars, while five restaurants were awarded one Michelin star.
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Cateys 2017: Restaurateur of the Year - Group - Jason Atherton, the Social Company >>
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