Michelin awards first 2020 Guide star to Alchemilla

Michelin has awarded the first star in the Great Britain and Ireland 2020 Guide to Alchemilla, in Nottingham.

In a break with convention those behind the little red book announced the star via social media ahead of Monday's ceremony.

Alchemilla is the first restaurant from chef Alex Bond and focuses on plant-based cooking. Since opening in August 2017, the restaurant has been making waves with Bond's unique style of cooking.

Bond has an impressive CV, having worked at Restaurant Sat Bains, also in Nottingham, and Turners at 69 in Birmingham. He was also named ‘Chef to Watch' in the 2019 Good Food Guide.

The 50-cover restaurant is housed in a Victorian coaching house that had sat empty for 150 years.

Michelin this evening (Friday) posted a video of then surprising Bond with the news of his star in the restaurant.

The video shows Bond cheering and embracing his team. He said: "I've been doing this for 21 years and I'm just speechless, absolutely speechless."

The remaining stars will be announced at Monday's ceremony in west London from 4pm… unless the inspectors decide another surprise is in order.

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