Pubs set for more Michelin stars, says top chef

The Buckinghamshire pub, a Greene King tenancy, was awarded the two Michelin stars in the latest Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2012. Last year, the guide’s former long-standing and now retired editor Derek Bulmer said a pub was not a “million miles” away from gaining the top accolade.

Celebrity chef Kerridge opened the pub with his partner, Beth, in 2005 and received his first Michelin star the following year.

“I am overwhelmingly amazed at this fantastic achievement for Great British pubs,” said Kerridge. “I am delighted for every single member of staff that works here who shares in my vision, belief and care, and loves this pub as much as I do.

“It’s amazing news for the future of pubs. We all know that in this climate pubs need to look at food as people are no longer just popping in for a lunchtime drink — they’re going out to eat while they socialise. Also with supermarket alcohol prices, pubs need to focus on food.

“We set our pub up with very little money six years ago and now we’re up there with the other restaurants that have two stars. My advice to other pubs looking for similar achievements would be to just believe in yourself. I have a very strange work-life balance as I spend a lot of my time at work and consider myself very lucky to love what I do and have achieved this.”

Michelin guide editor Rebecca Burr added: “Pubs are very well represented in the guide, out of a total of 2,019 outlets, 534 are pubs, and we hope that this is the way forward.

“Pubs are going to be a very worthy part of the dining scene in the UK — the informality of food is key as you can go in for just one course.

“Things such as improved bar snacks and using home-grown produce have really changed the pub. And this is partnered up with fantastic rooms, which are rivalling hotels, especially at those with a great breakfast offer.”