Hibiscus fails to keep its two-Michelin-starred status
One of the big shocks of the 2008 Michelin Guide to Great Britain and Ireland was Claude and Claire Bosi's relocated Hibiscus restaurant not retaining its two-star status.
The restaurant - a Caterer Adopted Business - has instead been awarded one star and is tipped as "one to watch" for the next level up in 2009.
The Bosis relocated the restaurant from Ludlow, where it received wide acclaim, to London in 2007.
They closed the Ludlow site in March and were scheduled to reopen in London's Maddox Street in August. However, building and planning delays meant that they didn't start trading until late October.
Speaking exclusively to Caterersearch, Claude was philosophical about the decision.
"If I'm honest, I didn't expect to get two stars. When Derek Bulmer editor of the Great Britain & Ireland and London guides] phoned to tell me that we were going in at one star ‘rising' I understood why," he said.
"We just opened too late - they only had two weeks to inspect the restaurant and I know that we were not where I wanted us to be in the first two weeks after opening. I think it was the right decision."
Bosi said his focus was on making sure that the restaurant is busy. "Don't get me wrong - recognition is nice but the bottom line is we just have to get on with what we're doing, keep our focus and make the restaurant a successful business."
The chef community was expecting Hibiscus to retain its two-star status, as Bosi's cooking is regarded by many to be worthy of attaining three stars in due course.
No top awards for restaurants in this year's Michelin guide >>
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Hibiscus: From Ludlow To London >>
By Joanna Wood
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