This was the first year of having our own place that I dared to dream, maybe even hope that there was a chance of an award with Michelin. Michelin had been much more vocal on social media than in the past, so we know we’ve had at least four or more visits from their posts. Brad from Carters of Moseley did an interview with the Staff Canteen last week and tipped us for a star.
I’d been listening to Paul Foster’s Night Cap podcast and he’s had chefs on it who got stars last year. Apparently they got an email in the morning on the Friday before the awards inviting them to London for the ceremony on the Monday so I took myself off away from the kitchen before Friday lunch service and kept refreshing my emails, when I’d just about given up. It was there looking at me.
INVITATION TO THE MICHELIN STAR REVELATION GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND 2020
The awards ceremony itself was a whirlwind. It was done alphabetically so we are right towards the end of the evening. They announced my name and I was on the stage before Solanche had even realised I was no longer sat next to her. Raymond Blanc shook my hand and passed me a chef’s jacket, it’s real. We’ve actually done it. We’ve won a Michelin Star, which makes the Royal Oak the first 'starred' place that both myself and Solanche have worked in.
A massive thank you to our team that helped to make this possible and to all our guests for your continued support over the years from our restaurant days with 'the chef's dozen' in Alcester and Chipping Campden through to the move to Whatcote and our take on a dining pub. We hope to welcome you all back soon for a pint and a game of pool or of course a meal.