Charlotte Taylor takes a look at Wales’ new Michelin starred restaurants, improving Welsh cuisine’s international reputation.
The release of a new Michelin Guide always causes something of a hullabaloo in the culinary world, and this year Wales has something to celebrate. In this year’s Michelin Guide, two more Welsh restaurants have been awarded a coveted Michelin star. The news which was announced at a ceremony in London brings Wales’ total of Michelin starred restaurants up to seven. One restaurant, the Felin Fach Griffin in Brecon, was also given the prestigious Bib Gourmond for exceptional good food at moderate prices.
Twenty new restaurants were awarded the accolade. The two new Welsh recipients of the stars were the James Sommerin restaurant in Penarth and the Sosban and the Old Butchers in Anglesey. Michelin tweeted that James Sommerin was a place where “passion and natural ability combine superbly”, noting the chef and his family “run their restaurant with passion”. The chef took to Twitter to thank his family and the team at his restaurant, and called the award “a dream come true”. The eaterie was also awarded the title of Welsh Restaurant of the Year at the AA hospitality awards just days before the announcement.
The Sosban and the Old Butchers – the other Welsh recipient of a new Michelin star – opened three years ago in an old butcher’s shop in Holyhead and was the smallest venue to be honoured this year. Of the Sosban and the Old Butchers, Michelin tweeted to say that their chef, Stephen Stevens, that he had “natural flair”. The restaurant has also provided Anglesey with its first Michelin star, and has helped to cement Wales’ growing reputation as a foodie destination.
All of Wales’ winners of the previous year’s award retained their stars. They are: The Walnut Tree, Llanddewi Skirrid; Tyddyn Lan, Llandrillo; The Checkers, Montgomery; Ynyshir Hall, Machynlleth; and The Whitebrook, Monmouthshire.
Restaurant James Sommerin, The Esplanade, Penarth. Info: 029 2070 6559 / www.jamessommerinrestaurant.co.uk; Sosban and The Old Butchers, High Street, Menai Bridge. Info: 012 4820 8131 / www.sosbanandtheoldbutchers.com