Eight Chester restaurants feature in this year’s Michelin Guide, with sustainable restaurant, Hypha winning an inaugural green star and Simon Radley at The Chester Grosvenor holding a star for over 30 years.
Chester restaurants have enjoyed a great year of success in this year’s Michelin Guide. Eight of the city’s restaurants enjoyed a mention in the guide – with a Michelin star, a green star, and a bib gourmand amongst them. This combination makes Chester restaurants the most decorated in any city centre in the North West.
Hypha, a sustainable restaurant that sits nestled on the city walls above Northgate Street, was awarded just one of 23 UK green stars that are given to restaurants that achieve high levels of gastronomy and sustainability. It sits amongst highly esteemed company like Raymond Blanc’s, Le Manoir, River Cottage, Sat Bains and L’Enclume.
Nicholas Friar, owner of Hypha, said: ‘The team at Hypha have been totally overwhelmed to receive such an incredible accolade from Michelin. To say we are passionate and committed to sustainability is an understatement. Creating zero waste is as important to us as the food we produce – so the green star is really the ultimate recognition.
He added: ‘We have to take a smart approach to maximising our ingredients to be able to create zero waste. This includes sourcing growers wisely, to fermenting in Koji, our neighbouring lab and workspace, and to our in-house composting – which is then returned as fertiliser to our growers to create a closed loop system.’
Carl Critchlow BID Manager said: ‘We are so delighted to see the city’s restaurants achieve such success. We are a city that champions our independents. Indeed, our very geography and infrastructure – with medieval rows and cobbled lanes just suit small businesses and we have seen much success in this sector. In 2020 over 76% of new businesses were indies and we predict we will see this figure grow over the next five years.
‘Hypha is a home-grown success story – and one of the businesses that really champion sustainability within the city. Also delighted to see Simon Radley retain a Michelin star. It sits as one of very few restaurants across the country to hold a star for over 30 years – that sort of consistency and longevity is just amazing.’
The city’s other restaurants to feature in the Michelin guide include Joseph Benjamin who were also awarded a Bib Gourmand for good quality at good value, Upstairs at The Grill, Da Noi, Covino and Chef’s Table. Chester enjoyed a total of eight restaurants within the 2021 guide.
By comparison with its much larger city neighbours, Liverpool and Manchester, Chester has fared well in recognition from the guide. Liverpool enjoyed 6 entries into the guide with no stars, Manchester had 11 entries, with Mana retaining its star.
Simon Radley, Executive Chef at The Chester Grosvenor and Chester BID board member said: ‘To continue to be one of only a handful of North West restaurants to hold a Michelin star is a huge achievement for us as a team and it humbles us every year. Chester has an exciting, vibrant restaurant scene that grows year by year. It has been exciting to watch new talent emerge in the city and be justifiably accoladed by what is considered the world’s most important dining guide.’
Published 27th January 2021