A leading Lake District restaurateur has hailed Cumbria an emerging foodie destination.
Liam Berney, who owns Whinlatter’s Cottage in the Wood with his wife Kath, is celebrating after the restaurant with rooms retained its Michelin star.
Liam said the county was a destination to be watched closely by foodies after three new Cumbrian establishments scooped stars.
Cumbria now has 10 Michelin star restaurants, plus one venue that has three – making it the county with the most stars in the UK outside of London.
Cottage in the Wood’s head chef is Sam Miller, who joined in August.
Sam has worked in some of Europe’s top restaurants, and also spent more than five years as executive sous chef at the renowned Copenhagen restaurant, Noma, consistently voted the world’s best restaurant during that period.
The 17th century coaching inn has a 30-cover restaurant and nine rooms. The venue, which dates back to 1646, is renowned for its dining, with the restaurant with rooms being listed in the top 100 restaurants in the UK by the National Restaurant Awards, as well as being voted one of the UK’s Top 50 Boutique Hotels.
Liam said: “Everyone is very happy we’ve kept it, mind you everyone is happy here, we have a very happy team! But it is just great, everyone is feeling wonderful. It is a real lift – a truly timely lift because it has been, for everyone across the county, a tough few years.
“Michelin is a very strong brand, and we have a great deal of respect for it and the way it operates. It is long established and very respectable in the industry and to the public.
“The whole thing has been very fulfilling, but it is not about awards and accolades, it is about satisfaction and enjoyment for guests who are here for a special occasion or for a stay.
“But we always put customers first and try not to get carried away with awards.”
The restaurant owner added that he felt Cumbria was not a place to underestimate in the world of food.
He said: “You can’t underestimate the amount of Michelin establishments we now have. I think Cumbria is truly emerging as a foodie destination.
“It is just great, and everyone benefits from it, not just the hotels and Michelin places.
“There are lots of small businesses including cafes and takeaways doing some great stuff up here and we must not underestimate those businesses.
“We’re in a very fortunate position as we have tremendous produce and farmers here in Cumbria, it’s all of a very high quality.”
Heft, near Cartmel, won a Michelin star for the first time, as did The Samling in Windermere and the Pentonbridge Inn, near Carlisle. L’Enclume at Cartmel retained its three-star status.
Also holding their Michelin stars for 2023 were Allium at Askham Hall, the Dog and Gun in Skelton, The Forest Side in Grasmere; The Old Stamp House, in Ambleside; Source (formerly Hrisihi) in Windermere and Rogan & Co in Cartmel.
Kath and Liam are planning to retire and have put Cottage in the Wood on the market for £1.5 million.
