Leicestershire venues listed in new Michelin Guide

Hotels and restaurants from across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are featured in the new Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2008. 31 local businesses have been rated by this prestigious international travel guide for the quality of their cuisine.

These businesses include Hambleton Hall in Oakham and the Olive Branch in Clipsham - both featured with Michelin Stars*, whilst the Red Lion Inn in Stathern is highlighted for a Bib Gourmand**.

The format of the Michelin Guide means that it offers readers an unrivalled selection of hotels and restaurants to suit all pockets, in a compact sized book. The 2008 Guide has 4,567 entries, and of those, 2,748 are hotels and guesthouses and 1,819 are restaurants and pubs; all regularly and anonymously inspected by Michelin’s own team of professional inspectors.

Derek Bulmer, editor of the guide, said: “The Michelin Guide has always prided itself on the variety of establishments that it recommends and the choice that this gives our readers. Leicestershire and Rutland are classic examples: whether it’s a country house hotel, a guesthouse, a restaurant or pub, there is something for everyone in the new guide.”

Martin Peters, Chief Executive of Leicester Shire Promotions, added: “Leicestershire and Rutland are renowned for their food provenance, the quality of our locally-grown produce, and the growing number of local hotels and restaurants that are discovering local ingredients. We are delighted that this reputation is further enhanced as an increasing number of our restaurants and hotels are being recognised for the quality of their cuisine.”

* Michelin Stars – rating system, recognised the world over as synonymous with truly high quality cuisine.
** Bib Gourmand - a restaurant offering good quality cuisine at a maximum price of a complete three-course meal for less than £28.