Michelin awards 20 new stars as Gordon Ramsay loses out

A total of 20 stars have been awarded to celebrated restaurants in this year's eagerly-awaited Michelin Guide.

Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester joins the elite and becomes a three Michelin-star establishment while The Ledbury, also based in London, gains a star to become a two-star restaurant.

Sienna, a small, family run restaurant in Dorset received its first star and The Harwood Arms became the first pub in London to also be awarded one star.

There were some significant deletions from the 2010 guide, notably Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's, Nathan Outlaw down in Cornwall, Richard Corrigan at Lindsay House, The Vineyard at Stockcross and Aubergine in London.

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.

"As we head into this new decade, the hotel and restaurant industry appears to be leaner and fitter. Greater emphasis is being placed on satisfying customers' needs; diversity continues to be one of the UK's greater strengths and the public's interest in chefs, food and cooking shows no sign of abating."

The guide is available to buy from Wednesday 20th January 2010.

Words: Clare Riley

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