Michelin Guide 2021: 23 restaurants awarded green stars for 'sustainable gastronomy'
Michelin has awarded its green star for sustainable gastronomy to 23 restaurants in the Great Britain and Ireland Guide 2021.
Recipients include Restaurant Sat Bains in Nottingham (pictured); Inver in Strachur; Palé Hall, Llandderfel and Loam in Galway, which won the Sustainable Gastronomy award in 2019.
It is the first time the green star has featured in the local edition after debuting in the French 2020 guide last year.
The award recognises restaurants with a focus on environmental practices and is available to those which hold a Plate, Bib Gourmand or Star distinction.
Many work directly with growers, farmers and fishermen; forage in hedgerows and woodlands; and grow plants and rear animals.
Recipients were also recognised for taking steps to improve the quality of life of their staff and contributing to local, national or global charity and education projects.
Restaurant Sat Bains moved to a four-day week in 2015 to improve working conditions for its team and has collaborated with the University of Nottingham on sustainability initiatives.
Bains told The Caterer he was "delighted" with the award, adding: "We've been massive advocates of being green for a long time, whether that's using well-sourced food, reducing energy, or shortening the working week, ensuring we continue to attract the best staff and retain them.
"Amanda and I took a leap of faith closing the restaurant three days a week and its meant we're able to offer world-class working conditions and still offer a world-class level of food and service. "
Some chefs have previously questioned how the green star is audited, but Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides, said restaurants were selected by inspectors "based on their fieldwork", as well as "complimentary researchers and exchanges with the chefs".
He added: "These restaurants are not only an inspiration for the industry but also all the readers and users of the Michelin Guide."
The green stars for 2021 are as follows:
England
Angela's, Margate
Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, Great Milton, Oxfordshire
Black Swan, Oldstead, York
Coombeshead Farm, Lewannick, Launceston
Daylesford Organic Farm, Daylesford, Moreton-in-Marsh
Hypha, Chester
L'Enclume, Cartmel, Cumbria
New Yard, Trelowarren, Helston
Oxo Tower Brasserie, Southwark, London
Petersham Nurseries Café, Richmond, London
Restaurant Sat Bains, Nottingham
River Cottage Kitchen, Axminster
Silo, Hackney, London
The Dining Room – Whatley Manor, Malmesbury
The Ethicurean, Wrington, Bristol
The Small Holding, Kilndown, Kent
Tredwells, Strand and Covent Garden, London
Where the Light Gets In, Stockport
Scotland
Inver, Strachur
Wales
Henry Robertson - Palé Hall, Llandderfel
Republic of Ireland
Inis Meáin Restaurant and Suites, Inishmaan, Aran Islands
Kai, Galway
Loam, Galway
