Scotland's chefs celebrate Michelin star gains

Chefs in Scotland have spoken of their delight after the country's restaurants picked up four new stars in the latest Michelin guide.

Charlie Lockley, head chef at Boath House hotel in Auldearn, Nairn, said he was "over the moon" at receiving his first Michelin star to go with the restaurant's 4 AA rosettes.

Lockley, who has two chefs in his team working seven days a week at the property's 26-cover restaurant, said that when told of the star by Boath House co-owner Wendy Matheson at the weekend, he initially thought it a hoax before it was established that the official Michelin results had leaked out early.

"Gaining four AA rosettes was a huge achievement but with a Michelin star it really hits home with the public as well," said Lockley.

"It's always nice to get industry recognition, and the phone hasn't stopped ringing since, but it's business as usual here, albeit with a spring in our steps."

Lockley, who admitted a few bottles of Champagne had been popped open at the weekend, said he hoped the addition of a Michelin star would serve to boost trade at a difficulty economic time for the UK.

In Edinburgh's Leith, Tony Borthwick chef-proprietor of the Plumed Horse told Caterersearch he was "thrilled" to have won back the star he lost when he relocated the restaurant from Crossmichael in December 2006.

"This is what we have been working towards for the last two years and I'm chuffed to bits - not just for me but for the whole team," said Borthwick.

"It's a great thing for Edinburgh and especially Leith, which now has three Michelin-starred restaurants within 500m of each other. It really highlights the fact that there are fantastic restaurants in Edinburgh and will hopefully draw in more people."

Lesley Crosfield co-owner and chef at The Albannach hotel in Lochinver Sutherland for the past 20 years said she felt "Extremely good" and "had not come down from her] cloud yet."

Crosfield added that she had been told the news yesterday when another Michelin starred chef phoned to congratulate them, but said she was "mystified" by the early release of the results.

"It's the combination of my partner Colin Craig and I manning the stove for 20 years- that brings consistency. And being on the coast we have access to the very best fish and shellfish the quality of our produce is second to none.

"I'm particularly pleased that Scotland has received the recognition, and feel that the situation whereby Scotland has been undersold has been put right in a proactive way. It's great for the area."

For a full list of winners see our news story No new three Michelin stars in 2009 Michelin Guide>>

Your chance to question editor of UK Michelin guide >>
No new three Michelin stars in 2009 Michelin Guide >>
New Michelin stars for 2009 >>
17 restaurants awarded three AA rosettes >>

By Chris Druce

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