Wales gains three new Michelin stars
The number of Michelin-starred restaurants in Wales has risen fourfold, after three establishments gained their first star.
The three restaurants awarded a star were:
- The Walnut Tree in Abergavenny/Llanddewi Skirrid, Monmouthshire
- Tyddyn Llan in Llandrillo, Denbighshire
- Ynyshir Hall in Machynlleth, Powys
They join The Crown at Whitebrook in Monmouthshire, which retains its star.
The Walnut Tree is run by Shaun Hill along with his business partner William Griffiths.
Speaking to Caterersearch.com, Hill, who held a star at the Merchant House in Ludlow for 11 years and at Gidleigh Park in Devon for nine years said: "I have got a good crew of hard working people and I am so pleased for them as much as me. It is an achievement. I am so ancient now that it won't be life-changing for my career. But it is still an achievement that we are proud of. The Walnut Tree was a very hard spot to get right because it had been famous before as a completely different sort of restaurant."
Meanwhile Tyddyn Llan owner and chef Bryan Webb wins his first star, having previouly had his restaurant voted Welsh Restaurant of the Year three times by the Good Food Guide.
Webb said: "I'm totally delighted to have won a Michelin star - it was completely unexpected after the other recent successes - you imagine you cannot have it all. My wife Susan and I have been running Tyddyn Llan for seven seasons now, and we feel that creating a complete experience for guests is important, and I have always put that first. I always cook the breakfasts myself for example, as it's vital that our guests depart with a feelgood factor."
And head chef of Ynyshir Hall Shane Hughes has regained the Michelin star the restaurant lost when he took over from Adam Simmonds in 2006. Hughes spent two years as head chef of Le Poussin at Parkhill (now Lime Wood) in the New Forest under the guidance of Alex Aitken.
Speaking to Caterersearch.com, Hughes said: "It has come as an enormous surprise because I was geared up for disappointment. It just didn't feel like my year. It's my personal first and it's fantastic."
Joan Reen, general manager of Ynyshir Hall: "Ynyshir Hall has had a Michelin star three times. Nobody deserves one more than Shane. He has worked so hard and I am really pleased that he has got it."
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By Neil Gerrard
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