A CUMBRIAN restaurant now ranks among the best in the world after being awarded its first Michelin star.
Pentonbridge Inn, near Carlisle, was handed the prestigious accolade in the 2023 edition of the Michelin Guide which was released this week.
It brings a first Michelin star to the Carlisle area, with Pentonbridge Inn now one of 11 Michelin-starred restaurants in Cumbria.
Chris Archer, head chef at Pentonbridge Inn, said: "As a chef, it’s something that you hope and dream about for your entire career and it’s down to the dedication and hard work of the whole team that we have achieved it together at Pentonbridge.
"The quality of the food and drink in Cumbria has made it a must-visit destination for people across the UK and beyond and it makes me very proud that Pentonbridge is now included alongside the other Michelin-starred restaurants in the county such as The Cottage in the Wood, The Old Stamp House and L’Enclume.
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“I’m delighted for the whole team who work so hard to deliver an exceptional service for every one of our guests," he said.
Chris and sous chef Arran Seymour were at the awards, in Northamptonshire on March 27, where Chris was the first to be invited on stage to receive a Michelin star.
He was presented with the signature Michelin white jacket and a video was shown of the chef learning he had won a Michelin star while in the kitchen at Pentonbridge Inn.
A white jacket had been hidden in a delivery of vegetables.
Chris has been head chef at Pentonbridge Inn for four years and honed his modern British style of cooking through working at Michelin-starred and AA Rosette restaurants across the UK including Winteringham Fields, Midsummer House and The Cottage in the Wood, near Keswick, where he took on his first head chef role in 2014.
He works closely with the garden team at Netherby Hall to source the fruit, herbs and vegetables for the seasonally-inspired dishes, as well as working with quality suppliers from across Cumbria.
The restaurant received a glowing review from food writer and presenter Grace Dent in The Guardian in December 2022.
The Cumbrian-born writer applauded the warm and knowledgeable service, use of local ingredients, and a meal she thought was particularly special - North Sea cod loin combined with a 'fat unshelled langoustine draped over the top, [and] poached celeriac'.
The front-of-house team at Pentonbridge Inn is led by general manager Ross Bell, with the restaurant-with-rooms owned by Gerald and Margo Smith, who also operate luxury self-catering cottages and apartments at Netherby Hall.
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