The Ledbury rises from the ashes to win three stars at Michelin awards

LONDON'S restaurant scene is celebrating one of its best ever nights at the Michelin awards, with Notting Hill's The Ledbury elevated to the rarified top tier of three stars and 13 other venues being promoted or winning accolades for the first time.

- David Ellis, Josh Barrie and Jonathan Prynn

The capital dominated the ceremony at Manchester's Midland Hotel, as the Michelin Guide marked its 50th anniversary.

The Ledbury's accession to the highest level of gastronomic recognition - making it only the ninth holder of three stars in the UK - marks a remarkable turnaround for an establishment that appeared to have fallen victim to the pandemic less than four years ago.

Chef-owner Brett Graham shut the restaurant "indefinitely" in June 2020 when he said Covid restrictions made it impossible to operate profitably. It stayed shut for two years before reopening in 2022.