Norfolk has 4 x 1 star Michelin restaurants
Meadowsweet in Holt
Morston Hall, Morston, North Norfolk
The Neptune in Old Hunstanton and
More recently awarded
Mark Poynton in Caistor Hall outside Norwich
Yes, I’ve been to them all – – plus Norfolk has Bib Gourmand, restaurants that are credited for good food.
Wilderbeest
Gunton Arms and
Sculthorpe Mill
(sorry I know its not a comp but yes, been to all)
So the Michelin map was created by the French tyre company when they wanted to create a map of places to travel to for good food back at the turn of the century. All to sell more tyres.
But it wasn’t until 1926 that they created the star system – which is now synonymous all over the world with Japan having the most rated restaurants than anywhere else on the globe.
Bibendum is their mascot – the big marshmallow fella.
Me and my husband back then when he was my BF and we went to Bibendum restaurant in London, turning up in an old white works van – we parked it out of the way so we weren’t seen getting out of it. I remember having sweet breads for the first time and they were magnificent as we sat next to Alan Bates, the Jesus in Whistle down the Wind a classic film I first watched in my Great Nanas lounge on an old small TV in the corner while enjoying a tray of tea and biscuits served in her best china.
There is over 150 1 star chefs in the UK and 10 3 star chefs. Gordon Ramsey has lost the most stars – but he does have a big willy, so that’s ok.
How does this effect businesses
(not Gordon’s dong, I mean winning a star)
Well
One star will mean a 20% increase in business, also meaning they will increase prices by 10-30%
Two stars – 40% more biz with 20 – 50% price increases.
Three stars – 100% more business with a 30 – 100% price hike.
So Michelin say “
1 star is worth a stop
2 stars is worth a detour and
3 stars is worth the journey.
And believe me there are people all over the world, who travel all over the place to try highly recommended restaurants. And that is my dream!
I did look briefly into the potential of being a Michelin Judge when I retire one day but you have to be available to travel anywhere and eat all the time – it seems too much of an ask as a single woman in my retirement years when I want to enjoy old age with my man, as much as I would love that for a few days.
Inspectors are secret but chefs do get to know names and pass them around when it comes to that time of the year and single booking appear on the system – but sometimes they take a plus one and sometimes they’ll come in groups to mix things up a bit.
Alan Wong has become one of the richest chefs in the UK, I dined in his Pimlico 1 star Asian restaurant – imagine fine dining dim sum, yes it was incredible, I would definitely go back for the taster menu. And sitting at the bar watching the chefs is a good shout. Of course book ahead.
The French Chef Joel Robuchon has the most stars an astonishing 32 over 20 of his restaurants which you will find all over the world including Las Vegas, London and Tokyo.
Apparently his daughter runs a restaurant in My dad’s local village in the Dordogne, which I wanted to go to – but he said it wasn’t very good, I doubt that and I will make sure I go for a table for one & enjoy a taster menu. Dads don’t know everything.
So I was thinking how many Michelin stared places have I eaten at – I really don’t know, I’d say only 6 – 7 in London and a few recommended bib ones every time I go abroad and to be honest one of those was a bit iffy but
I was in Malta – I found the whole island a foodie NOT destination at all unless you like mushy pea mini pastry’s, which I did. But Malta was the most disappointing food destination I’ve ever been to – although my hubby loved the local bitter orange pop.
But of course there is a possibility I went to more of them in London when I was working there as a chef, but don’t remember the stars just great restaurants that my mum would take me to like the Dorchester Grill and a few my chef friend took me to, when he was the sous chef at Claridges and plus those we (hubby) went to like Quaglinos, Bibendums, Michael Caines Canteen and afternoon tea at most of the big hotels, way before the Shard appeared – oh and I’ve been there too, has that got one? (yes, one star)
Anyway a Michelin star or bib gourmand or a recommended restaurant is mainly always a good recommendation.
Maybe one day I will be able to sample some of the great ones in Tokyo – I’ll start saving.
And I’ll end on a question someone asked me once, ‘what is the best place you have ever eaten at’ I can honestly say I have eaten at some amazing places & tasted incredible food but I am yet to find my favourite – that’s still to come.
Of course my favourite in Norfolk is Meadowsweet – 1* but deserves 2*
Zena © Leech-Calton
@love_norwich_food insta