Michelin Guide awards the 2024 stars - but no new star for Manchester

The stars of the UK’s restaurant world descended on Manchester’s Midland Hotel tonight, for the ceremony awarding the 2024 Michelin stars.

Sadly, no Manchester restaurant was named this year, but a host of great chefs took home the famous Michelin white coat and will soon be receiving a star to put above the door.

The nearest restaurant to Manchester to scoop its first star was chef Nick Brown’s Lake Road Kitchen, in Ambleside in the Lake District, now the third restaurant in Ambleside to boast a star.

Meanwhile, chef Hrishikesh Desai followed achieving an ‘exceptional’ rating in the Good Food Guide with a first star for Cedar Tree by Hrishikesh Desai at the Farlam Hall Hotel, near Carlisle, his second one-star restaurant after HRiSHi at the Gilpin Hotel and Lake House, where he held a star for six years.

He said: “To receive a Michelin Star within a year of our new beginnings at Farlam Hall is a testament of what can be achieved if you put your mind to it. Of course, this is not an individual effort, the entire team Farlam Hall has contributed towards this wonderful accolade. Our guests, our suppliers and our well-wishers have supported us enormously & we are thankful to them.

“Thank you Michelin Guide UK for honouring us with this accolade, we will ensure its continuity as well as strive hard to be good ambassadors for the Guide. This accolade is not taken for granted and we will work hard by evolving our food & service standards regularly.”

It was hoped that Adam Reid at The French would receive its first star, but it was not named in the list of new recipients.

Manchester’s Mana in Ancoats retains its star, the only restaurant in the city to hold one.

Simon Rogan’s L’Enclume also retained its three stars, while The Ledbury in West London won a coveted third star for the first time.

Other restaurants in the north to retain their stars included SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel in the Lakes, and Northcote, in the Ribble Valley.

“We’re thrilled to have retained our one Michelin star at this year’s Michelin reveal – it’s an amazing honour and one that the whole team should be hugely proud of,” said Ollie Bridgewater, the executive chef at SOURCE.

Lisa Goodwin-Allen at Northcote added: “Myself and the team at Northcote are extremely proud to have retained our one Michelin star at this year’s Michelin reveal. To retain our star all these years is such a huge achievement and one I’m really proud of.”

The legendary Michel Roux Jr handed out the new one-star awards, and also received the Mentor Chef award himself, while the likes of Simon Rogan, Tom Kerridge, Clare Smyth and Sat Bains were all in attendance at the ceremony.

Best speech of the night went to chef Aktar Islam, who won a second star for Opheem in Birmingham. “It’s incredible to achieve this,” he said. “My journey started 31 years ago when I got kicked out of school. It just goes to show what this industry can give someone with no prospects. Anyone that says this industry has no future or opportunities, I’m proof that it’s bullshit.”

Speaking on the night, the Michelin Guide’s International Director Gwendal Poullennec said: “Great Britain & Ireland continues to impress with the sheer variety of its Michelin Stars.

“Whether diners are looking for somewhere formal or casual, historic or new, there is a Michelin starred establishment for them. In every region of Great Britain and Ireland, you can now find hugely talented chefs calling out to gourmets with their exquisite and accomplished cuisine.

“To have 20 new One Michelin Stars and three new Two Stars in a year where the hospitality industry has faced so many challenges, is an extraordinary achievement.

“The addition of four new Michelin Green Stars to the selection is also a clear illustration of the growing desire within the restaurant industry for more sustainable gastronomy.”

18 restaurants won a new star, with six new two stars, and The Ledbury winning the third star.

Here are the new winners in full:

New One Stars