THE latest restaurants to be awarded Michelin stars have been unveiled with Cumbria retaining its impressive collection.

The UK and Ireland's best and brightest culinary talents were unable to come together under one roof this year, with the highest accolades for top class cooking instead revealed at a special virtual ceremony.

This year saw 22 restaurants awarded new star ratings, including 17 new one-star restaurants, three new two-star restaurants (A Wong, Da Terra and Restaurant Story) and two three stars (Core by Clare Smyth and Hélène Darroze at The Connaught).

Simon Rogan, the chef behind the two Michelin starred L’Enclume and one starred Rogan & Co in Cartmel & Henrock at Linthwaite House, Bowness, not only successfully retained his three stars for another year but his restaurants also received two additional accolades.

L'Enclume received a new award, a Green Star, presented for the first time at this year’s virtual event in recognition of the work Mr Rogan and his team have undertaken in the sustainability field.

Part of this work includes preserving resources, embracing biodiversity, reducing food waste and the consumption of non-renewable energy and managing the overall impact of restaurant operations on the environment.

Forest Side in Grasmere and the Gilpin Hotel in Windermere have also retained their one Michelin star each after impressing inspectors with their fine cuisine.

The Old Stamp House in Ambleside, Allium at Askham Hall and The Cottage in the Wood in Braithwaite also all successfully retained their impressive one Michelin star.

Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides, said: “Launching a brand-new distinction dedicated to sustainable gastronomy shows that our recognition of restaurants goes beyond the search for the best cooking. It enables us to also turn the spotlight on those with a great sense of responsibility towards the environment.”

The Michelin Green Star awards first introduced in 2020, came about in response to the constantly evolving challenges faced by chefs and their kitchen teams including production methods, sourcing and waste management.

The idea of the Green Stars is to amplify the ideas and best practices of chefs in tackling this ever-growing issue.

Sam Ward, managing director of Simon Rogan’s restaurants, said: "The entire team is thrilled to receive recognition in the form of a Michelin Green Star.

"Sustainability is at the core of what we do, we have been at the forefront of the farm-to-table restaurant movement for over 15 years.

"Across all of our restaurants we use ingredients from our own 12-acre farm just outside Cartmel, which was designed by chefs, for chefs along with the very best local, ethical suppliers for meat and fish.

‘‘We strive at every turn to commission local artisans, utilise local producers, employ local people and make significant contributions to our local economy.’’

A 46 further restaurants were also identified in this year’s Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland as taking positive steps to work in a greener way. Amongst these are Mr Rogan's other Lakes based restaurants Rogan & Co and Henrock.