Star rises in the East as region adds sixth Michelin accolade

For the first time The Pipe & Glass Inn, South Dalton near Beverley has been awarded a coveted Michelin star – one of just a handful of pubs to hold the accolade.

For James and Kate Mackenzie, who took over the Pipe and Glass Inn, in March 2006 it is recognition of a lot of hard work and commitment.

Since taking over the pub they have transformed the interior, retaining the traditional country inn feel while creating a modern restaurant area inside.

Although they welcome the award, James insists it will not change what they do.

"We never set out to get a Michelin star when we took over this place four years ago. Of course it is fantastic for us and all our staff to get this recognition, but we will continue to do what we do which is deliver good quality Yorkshire food and hospitality."

For James, former head chef at another Michelin establishment, The Star at Harome, winning the award is also good for the region.

"We are the first place in East Yorkshire to get a Michelin star, another has been awarded a Bib Gourmand which is really good news for the area. It attracts people here and is great for everyone."

James and Kate, parents to nine-month-old Toby, now employ 40 staff and have renovated some luxury rooms.

Elsewhere in Yorkshire The Burlington at Bolton Abbey, The Star Inn at Harome, the Box Tree in Ilkley, The Yorke Arms at Pateley Bridge and the Old Vicarage in Sheffield have all retained their one Michelin star for 2010.

Also, The Black Swan in Helmsley, North Yorkshire, has been named as a rising star by the 2010 guide.

This year's guide, published today, also includes one new three-star restaurant (Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester) and one new two-star (The Ledbury), both in London. Included in the list of 18 new one-stars is Sienna, a small, family-run restaurant in Dorset and The Harwood Arms, the first pub in London to achieve this accolade. Also, Bray-on-Thames has yet another star to add to its repertoire – The Royal Oak, a traditional village pub in Paley Street. There are also three new stars in Scotland and three

in Wales.

Commenting on the 2010 guide, editor Derek Bulmer said: "Last year was clearly a difficult year for hotels and restaurants but those establishments who reacted by being more flexible and creative appear to be riding the storm. Value for money has also been an important factor and we have awarded 28 new Bib Gourmand awards – 'good food at moderate prices' – which reflects this.

"Chefs have had to be more resourceful and restaurants have had to adapt to changing eating habits. Some have even introduced 'credit crunch' menus to help fight the recession. Long-established restaurants have proved to be resilient but we have also seen plenty of new openings.

"There is now a greater geographical spread of starred restaurants and the inspectors will continue to seek out establishments serving particularly good food, wherever they are situated."

The 2010 guide recommends more than 1,900 hotels and guesthouses and around 1,900 restaurants and pubs. All are regularly and anonymously inspected by Michelin inspectors.