The restaurant world’s elite gathered together at the 2025 Michelin Guide Awards where THE SCHELLY was recognised with a Bib Gourmand Award.

THE SCHELLY in Ambleside is operated by the team behind the Michelin Starred Old Stamp House as brothers Ryan and Craig Blackburn continue to grow their already impressive reputations.

The Michelin Guide describes the restuarant as: “A delightful operation from the team behind Old Stamp House just a minute’s walk away, this deservedly busy restaurant is named after a local fish found in only four nearby lakes.

“It’s indicative of the distinctly Lakeland feel to the menu, which is epitomised by the presence of lip-smacking Herdwick hogget shoulder, plus a dish of ‘mushrooms found around the woods in Ambleside’.

“Sit at the counter to see the chefs or by the window to people-watch the tourists passing by. The sticky toffee madeleines cooked to order ensure you’ll leave on a sugary high.”

This year the Michelin Guide Awards for Great Britain and Ireland took place on Monday, February 10, at Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum in Glasgow.

While not in Cumbria, the former L’Enclume chef Tom Barnes gained his first Michelin Star with Skof – Manchester after being one of most anticipated openings of 2024.

The list of three Michelin Starred venues grew as Lancashire’s Moor Hall gained its third star to take the total into double figures with ten restaurants sitting at the top of the UK guide’s list.

15 Michelin Stars and one Michelin Green Star were awarded to Cumbria in 2024 as the county kept its title as the highest concentration of Stars outside of London and it has added a Bib Gourmand to the county’s catalogue.

Michelin Star

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.

The Michelin Green Star

The Michelin Green Star is awarded at the same time as the Michelin Stars and highlights restaurants at the forefront of sustainable practices.

These restaurants hold themselves to ethical and environmental standards working with producers and suppliers to reduce waste and non-recyclable materials.

It has been awarded since 2021 as 35 restaurants in the UK currently hold the award with L’Enclume and Moor Hall both holding 3 Michelin Stars and the Michelin Green Star.

Bib Gourmand Award

Since 1997, the Bib Gourmand Award has been awarded to best value for money restaurants, offering a three course meal at a reasonable price.

While the price limit for Bib Gourmand consideration varies from country to country, depending on the cost of living, the inspectors are searching for the same high quality, wherever they happen to be in the world.

Bib Gourmand

• THE SCHELLY – Ambleside

One Michelin Star

• Forest Side – Grasmere
• Dog and Gun – Skelton
• Rogan & Co – Cartmel
• heft – Newton in Cartmel
• Cottage in the Wood – Braithwaite
• Lake Road Kitchen – Ambleside
• The Samling – Ambleside
• Pentonbridge Inn – Penton
• Allium at Askham Hall – Askham
• SOURCE at Gilpin Hall – Bowness-on-Windermere
• Cedar Tree by Hrishikesh Desai – Brampton
• Old Stamp House – Ambleside

Three Michelin Stars

• L’Enclume – Cartmel