Selby brothers, Phil Howard and SY23 among Michelin Special Award winners
This year's Michelin Young Chef Award was awarded to not one but three chefs: brothers Luke, Nathaniel and Theo Selby from Evelyn's Table in London's Soho.
They were among five awards revealed today ahead of the full Michelin 2022 Great Britain and Ireland stars announcement tomorrow.
Roux Scholar and former National Chef of the Year Luke Selby left Ollie Dabbous' Hide in London's Mayfair, to open Evelyn's Table with his brothers in 2020, a 12-cover chef's counter beneath the Blue Posts in Soho. The five-course menu is informed by Luke's interest in Japanese cuisine and his three-month stage at the three-Michelin-starred Restaurant Nihonryori Ryugin in Tokyo, employing British ingredients.
Luke said it was an "absolute honour" to receive the award, adding: "We are all humbled by this award, and I am so proud that we can share this together as a family."
The guide said the trio were an "inspiration to all", adding: "There is a clear synergy to this team, who exude infectious enthusiasm, and passion seeps from every pore as they create and then describe each dish."
The Chef-Mentor Award went to Phil Howard, chef-patron of Michelin-starred Elystan Street in London's Chelsea. Howard was recognised for the important role he has played in forging the careers of other successful chefs, including the likes of Brett Graham, Gary Foulkes, Mark Kempson, Ben Marks and Jun Tanaka.
"It's always been about the team. Building, leading, inspiring and empowering the team in a positive and happy environment has been a constant goal over the years," said Howard.
"Mistakes are made along the way but always rectified and learned from, in a balanced and happy working environment. The truth is that if you're providing that for people and rewarding them fairly for their hard work – looking after them in every sense of the word – then they'll reward you back with enthusiasm, passion, skill and a desire to be part of your team...
"Goodness knows, the last couple of years have weighed heavily on hospitality teams the world over, which makes it even more important to be running happy and inspiring kitchens."
The Michelin Opening of the Year 2022 went to SY23 in Aberystwyth. Run by Ynyshir alumnus chef Nathan Davies, the guide praised the restaurant's nine-course set menu, which focuses on foraging, pickling and fermenting ingredients.
Dale Dewsbury and the team at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles in Auchterarder, Perthshire, won the Welcome & Service Award for "exceptional service, which anticipates guests' every need with professionalism and warmth". Dewsbury has worked at the restaurant for more than 20 years and Michelin said he had the ability "not only to serve his guests to the highest standard but also to simultaneously be on hand whenever his staff need him".
Dewsbury said: "I'm humbled to have been recognised with this incredible honour from Michelin. The superb Restaurant Andrew Fairlie team works extremely hard to make the experience of our guests the best it can possibly be, and we all play a vital part in this. I'm proud of the offering we have and the exceptional food that we serve, and – as with all the team – I'm dedicated to making chef Andrew proud and continuing his legacy. I'm thrilled that this passion and pride is visible to guests, and I'm sure Andrew would be raising a dram to us this week as we are to him."
And Isa Bal, part-owner of Trivet in London's Southwark, was awarded the Sommelier Award "for his fascinating wine list and his passionate approach, particularly to lesser-known regions". The master sommelier opened Trivet in London's Bermondsey with former Fat Duck colleague, chef Jonny Lake, in 2019. Michelin said the wine list at Trivet was "passionately compiled" and "highly original".
"I am so enormously grateful to receive this award, and hugely proud of the entire team too," said Bal. "Wine is at the heart of everything we do here at Trivet, from dish development to guest experience, so to have that recognised and celebrated by Michelin is truly wonderful."
Trivet's wine list is set out chronologically and follows the historic beginnings of wine to the present day, with more than 450 wines including from Georgia, Armenia and Turkey.
Michelin revealed its 16 Bib Gourmand winners last week with chefs and restaurant owners hoping the accolade will help attract new customers after a difficult trading period. The restaurants awarded stars and green stars will be announced tomorrow.
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