Birmingham is well known for its top notch curries, but now it is being firmly established as England’s second food capital, with no fewer than three restaurants there gaining Michelin stars. All offer traditional French dishes with a modern British twist.
Simpsons restaurant in Edgbaston received the covetable star five years ago, and has been turning out great food since as he got one again this year, along with two new additions to the constellation, Glynn Purnell, for Purnell’s, and Richard Turner, at Turners of Harborne.
A total of 26 new restaurants were awarded the much sought after one-star rating in the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland 2009, which is available on Friday.
The three chefs allowed Birmingham to shine over Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool - none of which have yet to gain a Michelin star.
Merseyside has cause to celebrate however, as Marc Wilkinson was awarded one star for his restaurant Fraiche in Birkenhead.
Ludlow, in Shropshire, which had four Michelin-starred chefs back in its heyday, is getting noticed again, now holding two.
Chief food inspector at Michelin, said, “Cuisine in Birmingham is well above standard. We are pleased about the geographical spread of starred restaurants this year – especially for Fraiche on the Wirral peninsula, which is not an area known for fine dining.”
The people of Birmingham are unsurprisngly delighted at the news. The Birmingham Post stated, “Where once there was a gastronomic waste-land there now lies a city of plenty . . . Now Birmingham not only has the highly successful Balti Triangle – it also has the Michelin Triangle.”
Scotland’s capital Edinburgh, already firmly established as a Michelin haven, received its fourth star-rated restaurant with the Plumed Horse, alongside Number One at the Balmoral, Restaurant Martin Wishart and The Kitchin.
This edition of the guide has also seen a triumph for women as ten have received a Michelin star rating, including newcomers Angela Hartnett for Murano, Hélène Darroze at the Connaught and Rachel Humphrey at Le Gavroche.
The guide suggests that Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester has a high chance of gaining three stars next year.
Mr Turner said, “Everyone thinks of Birmingham and the balti, which is good, but there is a lot more to the city that people don’t give it credit for.
“This trio of Michelin stars shows that people in Birmingham can cook. I’m not going to change anything or put my prices up – that would be very foolish.”
Michelin’s verdicts
Simpsons Speciality Ravioli of scallops with baby vegetables, ginger and lemongrass sauce. Confit of rabbit with pancetta and sweet and sour sauce. Chocolate and passion fruit delice with coconut ice cream L-shaped dining room set around terrace. Classically based menus with a personal twist
Purnell’s Speciality Salad of crab with smoked paprika and honeycomb. Slow cooked ox cheek with monkfish and spiced lentils. Raspberry pavlova with lavender and raspberry sorbet Well priced, modern and innovative food, uses quality ingredients
Turners Speciality Roast and confit quail with soft-boiled egg and walnut vinaigrette. Assiete of lamb, shallot purée and thyme sauce. Raspberry sable breton with basil ice cream. The cooking reflects the experienced chef’s classical background, flavours are clean and dishes well-balanced
Source: Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2009 on sale this Friday @ £15.99
