By Robert Haile

Cumbrian restaurants have continued to show why Cumbria is food lovers paradise as two new stars are added to the county.

In 2023 Cumbria provided the guide with more stars than any other county outside of London with 12 stars awarded with Simon Rogans’ L’Enclume holding three and a green star for sustainability.

In a live streamed ceremony from Manchester, Cumbria gained two new stars as Brampton restaurant Cedar Tree by Hrishikesh Desai and the Lake Road Kitchen gained their first star.

This is not the first time that Hrishikesh Desai has made the list as HRiSHi, now closed, held a star for 6 years.

In the special awards L’Enclume’ Valentin Mouillard won the Sommelier Award for the best wine list with Michelin saying: “He is a welcoming, engaging character and guests are drawn to him as he describes his choices with care and pride.

“He does not over-explain or try too hard to impress the diner, instead he offers his thoughts on the wine clearly and succinctly.

“The wine list he curates deftly mixes big names and lesser-known options, while his non-alcoholic flights are influenced by the restaurant’s farm and its produce.”

Simon Rogan from L’Enclume came up to present the two star awards as his restaurant maintained its status as one of now nine three star establishments as London’s The Ledbury joined the group.

Cumbrian Restaurants

• L’Enclume (3)
• Allium at Askham Hall (1)
• Cottage in the Wood (1)
• Old Stamp House (1)
• Pentonbridge Inn (1)
• heft (1)
• SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel (1)
• Forest Side (1)
• Rogan & Co (1)
• Dog and Gun Inn (1)
• The Samling (1)
• Cedar Tree by Hrishikesh Desai (1)
• Lake Road Kitchen (1)

The stars are decided by former restaurant and hospitality professionals now all employees of Michelin who head round and make anonymous inspections.

After several inspectors have eaten at a restaurant, they then discuss their experiences as a team in order to make a final decision.

The stars are awarded on five points the quality of the ingredients, harmony of flavours, mastery of techniques, the personality of the chef as expressed through their cuisine and, consistency across the entire menu and over time.

One Michelin Star is awarded to restaurants using top quality ingredients, where dishes with distinct flavours are prepared to a consistently high standard.

Two Michelin Stars are awarded when the personality and talent of the chef are evident in their expertly crafted dishes; their food is refined and inspired.

Three Michelin Stars is our highest award, given for the superlative cooking of chefs at the peak of their profession; their cooking is elevated to an art form and some of their dishes are destined to become classics.