Daniel Clifford at Midsummer House in Cambridge has been awarded its second Michelin star.
Chef-patron Clifford, who started his career as a kitchen assistant at Canterbury University College, found out about the decision on Tuesday, when he was rung by Michelin guide editor Derek Bulmer.
“We were just getting ready for lunch. I was so shocked my voice went halfway through the conversation,” he told Caterer-Online.
“We were up celebrating all night so I am feeling a bit hungover at the moment,” he added.
“But I feel at peace with myself, you work so hard for something and then you get it,” he said.
The award was also a vindication for his team, he added.
Midsummer House is the only additional two-star restaurant in this year’s guide, which is being published on Friday. The three-star restaurants stay the same as last year.
There are 17 new one-star restaurants, including The Samling in Ambleside, Cumbria, Jessica’s and Simpson’s in Birmingham and The Goose in Britwell Salome, Oxfordshire.
Other one-starred newcomers are The Lygon Arms in Broadway, Hereford & Worcestershire, Bohemia on Jersey, the New Angel in Dartmouth, Devon and L’Enclume in Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria.
The Box Tree in Ilkley, West Yorkshire is another who joins the list this year, together with Whatley Manor on Malmesbury, Wiltshire, Drakes in Ripley, Surrey and Sawyards in Storrington, West Sussex.
In London Gary Rhodes’ Rhodes Twenty Four has landed its first star, as has Assaggi in Bayswater, Umu and Sketch in Mayfair and Yauatcha in Soho.
Eight restaurants have lost their one-star status in this year’s guide.
They are Midsummer House (now two stars), Simpson’s in Kenilworth (now one-star Simpson's in Birmingham), Fleur de Sel in Storrington (now one-star Sawyards in Storrington), Chesil Rectory in Winchester and Carlton House in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales.
In London, Chelsea’s Zaika, McClements in Richmond and L’Oranger in Westminster have also lost their stars.
by Nic Paton
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