Two Cumbrian restaurants have been newly awarded Michelin stars for 2024.
Cedar Tree by Hrishikesh Desai at Farlam Hall, in Brampton, and Lake Road Kitchen, in Ambleside, have joined the elite of fine dining.
It means that Cumbria now has 16 Michelin stars across 13 restaurants.
The new Michelin Stars were unveiled at The Michelin Guide Ceremony 2024, in The Midland Hotel in Manchester on Monday evening.
Cedar Tree by Hrishikesh Desai at Farlam Hall’s new star comes after a successful first year for the hall.
Hrishikesh – alongside fellow director Karen Baybutt – took over the country house hotel in Brampton as chef patron in early 2023, bringing a refined approach to fine dining, influenced both by his Indian heritage and his French training.
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 and 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.”
Karen said that she was equally thrilled by the news.
She added: “I am hugely proud of Hrishikesh and the team at Cedar Tree Restaurant for being awarded a Michelin star.
“The decision Hrishikesh made to embark on his journey at Farlam Hall came from the heart and was borne from a passion to deliver the very best food, wine and hospitality.
“It has been my pleasure to be part of that journey with him and to see our hard work come to fruition in being recognised at this highest level.
This is very much a team effort so a huge thank you goes to all the staff at Farlam Hall, who have given everything we have asked of them; to our guests, our supply partners and to Kathy and Joe, owners of Farlam Hall, who put their faith in us from the beginning.”
Lake Road Kitchen, based in Ambleside and run by chef-owner James Cross, shared its joy of receiving a star on social media.
Judges reviewed the Ambleside eatery and said: “James Cross has truly established himself here, and his cooking has now taken the leap to the next level.
“The tasting menu flows with ease from one skilful dish to the next, with each one demonstrating balance, restraint and harmonious flavour combinations.
“The cooking is modern in style, with influences from around the globe used to get the best out of the first-rate produce.
“Dishes often look simple, but are in fact complex, creative and contain impressive depth of flavour – years of culinary experience are evident in every mouthful.
“Service is smooth, with the detailed dish descriptions delivered with confidence and pride.”
Holding their Michelin stars for 2024 are:
- The Forest Side, Grasmere
- Allium at Askham Hall, Askham
- Cottage in the Wood, Whinlatter
- The Old Stamp House, Ambleside
- Dog & Gun, Skelton
- Source (formerly Hrisihi), Windermere
- Rogan & Co, Cartmel
- Heft, Newton, near Cartmel
- Pentonbridge Inn, Penton, near Carlisle
- Samling, Windermere
Ryan Blackburn, chef patron at The Old Stamp House, said: “We’re thrilled that we have retained our Michelin Star for the fifth year in a row.
“The whole team aims to ensure that they deliver a truly memorable experience for every single guest who comes through the door and this award is testament to that hard work and professionalism.
“Everyone of is so proud of what’s been achieved by the whole team in the last few years but, as ever we couldn’t do what we do without the farmers and producers we work with who deliver consistently excellent produce, so they deserve a huge thankyou from us too.’’
Husband-and-wife Kevin and Nicola Tickle, who run Heft, said they were thrilled to retain their star for a second year in a row.
The pair added: ‘’Retaining our Michelin star is testament to what we as a team have achieved since we opened the doors in 2021. It’s not been an easy journey, but we’ve all grown and developed because of what’s been thrown at us.
“There’s lots to look forward to this year and we can’t wait to continue to build on what we’ve started.
“We couldn’t be prouder of everyone that works with us; and has helped us along the way, this award represents everyone’s collective effort in getting us to where we are.’’
Pentonbridge Inn, near Carlisle also retained its star for a second year running.
Head chef Chris Archer said: “Winning our first Michelin star last year was an amazing achievement for the team and our focus this past year has been to build on that success.
“The whole team is committed to delivering a fantastic experience for our guests and that dedication shines through in everything we do, from the dishes on our set tasting menu to the quality of the service.
“Retaining the Michelin star is testament to the hard work and talent of the entire team.
“We’re very proud to be part of the incredible food and drink scene in Cumbria which includes so many brilliant Michelin starred restaurants.”
L’Enclume in Cartmel, run by Simon Rogan, remains the county’s only three star restaurant.
L’Enclume received its first Michelin star in 2005 and its second star in 2013, and a Michelin Green Star awarded in 2021. The restaurant also holds the number one spot in the UK Good Food Guide and a score of 10/10, and five AA Rosettes.
Simon Rogan said: ‘’We’ve been on an incredible journey since we first opened our doors in Cartmel in 2002. I’m totally thrilled that both L’Enclume and Rogan & Co have retained their respective stars and that’s down to the hard work of every single team member across the whole company.
“From the team at Our Farm to the office, from the Academy apprentices to the respective front of house and kitchen teams and every role in between, without you this really wouldn’t be possible, so I want to say a huge thank you all.
“I’d also like to welcome Cumbria’s two new one-star editions Cedar Tree at Farlam Hall and Lake Road Kitchen, as they join the deserving ranks of what has become the UK’s leading dining destination outside London.
“I’d also like to congratulate everyone else in the county who successfully retained their Michelin stars and is helping to put the destination on the global food map.’’
