In addition to the new Michelin Stars announced last night, there were five special award winners
This year, in addition to the new Stars and Bib Gourmands, five Special Awards were presented to exceptional individuals and teams who particularly impressed The Michelin Guide’s Inspectors over the past year. Here’s what The Michelin Guide said about the winners.
MICHELIN Opening of the Year Award – OMA, London
Few restaurants have had such an instantly brilliant impact on London’s restaurant scene as OMA. Its Greek-inspired cooking has given something fresh and thrilling to the city’s diners, with Hellenic dishes cooked at a level the Inspectors have rarely seen in Britain before. It is no wonder Chef Jorge Paredes and Owner David Carter have also seen their efforts rewarded with a Michelin Star. The atmosphere and service, too, have helped OMA to be such a hit, as has the presence of sister restaurant AGORA downstairs – which is a modern take on a ‘souvla bar’ and has deservedly won a Bib Gourmand.
MICHELIN Chef Mentor Award – Adam Byatt from Trinity, London
This year’s recipient of the Michelin Chef Mentor Award is a real “chef’s chef” and someone who has given so much help and advice to younger talents over the years. Adam Byatt’s own restaurant, Trinity, is a beloved Michelin-starred spot and its kitchen has played a huge role in the careers of top chefs including Tom Sellers from Two-Star Story and Graham Squire from One-Star Dining Room at The Goring.
MICHELIN Young Chef Award – Ash Valenzuela-Heeger from Riverine Rabbit, Birmingham
After having opened Riverine Rabbit with her wife Erin to great acclaim, and received a Bib Gourmand this year, Ash Valenzuela-Heeger has been identified by the Inspectors as an exciting young talent. Hailing from South Africa, Ash’s cooking had been generating buzz in Brummie circles for some time thanks to various pop-ups, before the permanent opening of her inventive and invigorating restaurant which has further strengthened the brilliant Birmingham dining scene. Her original cooking is big on flavour and draws on influences from her native South Africa to across Asia.
MICHELIN Service Award – Jasmine Sherry from Fish Shop, Ballater
Great service plays a crucial role in creating that indefinable magic which makes dining out such a pleasure. This is clearly understood by Jasmine Sherry and her team at the utterly delightful Fish Shop. As a manager, Jasmine is omnipresent and strikes the perfect balance between strong leadership and approachable friendliness, allowing the team to work in such a genuine, charming way. Combine this wonderful, caring service with the great value cooking that has seen the restaurant also awarded a Bib Gourmand, and you have a brilliant all-round package.
MICHELIN Sommelier Award – Zsolt Lukács from daróg, Galway
The last of the MICHELIN Special Award winners is Zsolt Lukács, the co-owner and sommelier of daróg in Galway. This wine bar and bistro is a warm, welcoming place largely thanks to Zsolt himself. He is an engaging, dedicated man who is clearly so passionate about the wine list he has curated here. His recommendations are knowledgeable and thoughtfully considered, then communicated to guests in a refreshingly unpretentious way that makes them feel relaxed and comfortable. In more great news for Zsolt, the restaurant has also been awarded a Bib Gourmand this year.
For all the new three, two and one Michelin Star winners, see our coverage of the event here.
