THREE restaurants in Cumbria have been given Michelin stars for the first time.

The Samling at Windermere, Heft at Newton, near Cartmel, and Pentonbridge Inn, at Penton, near Carlisle, have been named in the 2023 Michelin Guide.

L'Enclume at Cartmel also retained its highly regarded three stars during the lavish ceremony and the Old Stamp House at Ambleside kept its Michelin star.

The owners of the Heft, Kevin and Nicola Tickle, said: "Being awarded a Michelin star is totally unexpected. We’ve just tried to do our best to bring a village pub back to life and put it back at the heart of the community that surrounds it.

"We really didn’t think we would be in the running this year, we really can’t describe what this means to us both, especially with all that’s been thrown at us in the last couple of years. We couldn’t be prouder of everyone that works with us; for us this is a real team effort.

"We’ve taken our time and hopefully the work we’ve put in has helped build a solid foundation for the future. Heft is about our surroundings and our sense of belonging to this place. The food we create and serve reflects our passion for the place we are lucky enough to call home.’’

Simon Rogan, owner of L'Enclume said: "We’ve been on an amazing journey since we first opened our doors in Cartmel in 2002. I’m over the moon that L’Enclume and Rogan & Co have retained their respective stars and that’s down to our teams’ hard work and dedication, but above all their passion for what they do day to day.

"I want to thank the growers on Our Farm, the front and back of house teams in our restaurants, to the apprentice chefs in the Simon Rogan Academy, to the producers who supply us with such incredible ingredients, and the customers who take the trouble to visit our corner of the Lakes.

Ryan Blackburn, of Old Stamp House, said: ”We’re thrilled that we have retained our Michelin Star for the fourth year running. The whole team constantly strives to deliver a truly memorable experience to each and every customer through the door and this recognition is testament to their hard work and dedication.

"All of us are so proud of what we have achieved in the last few years, but as ever we won’t stop trying to push that little bit harder. Finally I’d like to thank the farmers and producers we work with who deliver consistently excellent produce, the team for doing what they do and our customers for appreciating what we do.’’

Cumbria itself now boasts 10 Michelin one Star restaurants and 1 Michelin Three Star restaurant.

 

The fill list of Michelin Stars in Cumbria now includes:

L’Enclume, Cartmel (three stars)

Rogan & Co, Cartmel (one star)

HEFT, Newton in Cartmel (one star) NEW

Allium at Askham Hall, Askham (one star)

Cottage in the Wood, Braithwaite (one star)

Old Stamp House, Ambleside (one star)

SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel, Windermere (one star)

Pentonbridge Inn, Penton(one star) NEW

The Samling, Windermere (one star) NEW

The Dog & Gun Inn, Skelton (one star)

The Forest Side, Grasmere (one star)