Latest news with #PlatesLondon
Euronews
12-02-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Plates London becomes the UK's first vegan restaurant to get a Michelin star
For the first time ever, a plant-based restaurant in London has been awarded a Michelin star. Located in Old Street, Plates London was founded in July 2024 by sibling chef duo Keeley and Kirk Haworth, the latter of whom Michelin praised for "taking his classical training and inventively adapting it to a vegan diet." It was one of nine restaurants in the UK's capital to be awarded its first star at the 2025 Michelin Awards Ceremony, which took place in Glasgow on Monday (10 February). When asked at the ceremony what he loved most about making vegan food, Kirk said: "Trying to get rid of that word is everything that I love about it. It's just about flavour; that's all it's about. Flavour, excitement, innovation, and trying to take it to a new space of deliciousness." In the last decade alone, the popularity and prevalence of plant-based restaurants has seen huge growth across the UK, as consumers become increasingly concerned about the ethical, environmental and health impacts of their diets. As of 2024, an estimated 2.5 million people follow a vegan diet in the UK, making up 4.7% of the adult population, according to fintech company Finder. They also report that there are now over 6,400 plant-based restaurants in the UK. Still, gourmet vegan restaurants have remained a rarity as haute cuisine's cultural foundations are deeply rooted in richly flavoured meat and dairy, while many classically trained chefs also lack the expertise in more complex plant-based cooking and innovation. The smaller pool of consumers (and general precariousness of the restaurant industry) has also meant that chefs face greater financial risks when attempting to translate vegan cuisine to a fine dining setting. In an interview with Euronews Culture, French gastronomic chef Alexis, who runs the London-based gourmet vegan restaurant Gauthier, explained: "It's already so difficult to make a living with a restaurant. When you have spent years and years, you know, refining your craft of making the best roast chicken or the best filet of beef or the best sauce with lobsters, it's going to take a lot [to go plant-based].' Within its earthy-hued ambience, Plates London serves exquisite creations like mung and urad bean lasagne, kabocha squash and ginger soup, and raw cacao gateau. Through a skilful focus on sustainability, they've curated a menu that transforms natural produce into intricate creations that also earned them the title of 'Champion of Champions' on BBC's Great British Menu TV series last year. 'Earning a Michelin star is such an incredible honour and a lifetime goal since I was a young boy,' Kirk said. 'To be the first in the plant-based sphere in the UK to win this prestigious award makes me unbelievably proud, and I am so grateful to our talented team for their support and dedication.' Keeley added: 'At Plates, we've always believed in pushing boundaries, and this achievement proves that plant-based dining can stand proudly at the highest level of gastronomy.' A total of 22 new restaurants received their first Michelin star at the 125th awards, three of which were based in Ireland, two in Scotland and one in Cardiff – a first for the Welsh capital.
The Independent
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Vegan restaurant becomes first to win Michelin star
A London restaurant has become the first to be awarded a Michelin star by serving a plant-based menu. The Michelin Guide celebrated its 125th anniversary, with this year's ceremony held at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow on Monday (10 February). At the event, 22 new restaurants were awarded their first Michelin star, with nine in London, three in Ireland and two in Scotland. Cardiff also secured its first star. Meanwhile, five Green stars were given to restaurants for their exceptional commitment to sustainability. Based in Old Street, Plates London became the first vegan restaurant to ever be awarded a star in the accolade's history. Kirk Haworth, chef and co-founder of Plates, first began exploring a vegan diet after being diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2016. He took his classical training and 'inventively' adapted it to his health needs. Plates serves a meat-free, fish-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, organic menu that does not use refined sugars. 'The word trend is something that comes and goes, but what I do and the place that it's been created from is definitely not a trend,' Haworth told The Independent. 'It's got so much purpose and soul that if it was a trend, it wouldn't last. But, hopefully it inspires more restaurants to celebrate fruits and vegetables and get creative with it.' The chef, who was the first to cook up a vegan-only diet on the BBC cooking competition Great British Menu, said he found it initially difficult to do classical cooking without meat or fish. 'Trying to work out the formula of our food and how to create without any kind of meat and fish, which is what what I was trained in all my life, was super, super challenging,' said Haworth. He added: 'We have so many incredible, classical chefs. When you're a young chef, you learn how to make a red wine sauce or a terrine. But, in this kind of space, there isn't really that much history. I look at that as a positive and that we can create our own rulebook, you know, there are no rules, so it's kind of like a blank canvas, which is cool.' Born in Blackburn, and coming from a family of Michelin-starred chefs, Haworth opened the flagship restaurant with his sister Keeley, and believes 'it's a great moment for northern cooking'. 'Celebrating with Mark Burchill [who was awarded his third star [for Aughton eatery Moor Hall] who I grew up with in kitchens, and to celebrate with him was just amazing,' he continued. For Haworth, this is 'just the beginning'. What's next? 'Three stars' he said.
The Guardian
11-02-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Plates London becomes first vegan restaurant in UK to win a Michelin star
A vegan restaurant in London has become the first in the UK to be awarded a Michelin star. Plates London, located on Old Street, serves a fully plant-based menu and chef Kirk Haworth impressed judges by 'taking his classical training and inventively adapting it to a vegan diet', Michelin said. The ceremony to mark the annual Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland was held in Glasgow on Monday. Asked at the event what he loved about cooking vegan dishes, Haworth said: 'Trying to get rid of that word is everything that I love about it. It's just about flavour, that's all it's about. Flavour, excitement, innovation, and trying to take it to a new space of deliciousness.' The number of vegans in the UK increased by 1.1 million between 2023 and 2024, according to research conducted by Finder last year. It estimated that the number of people who had adopted a plant-based diet was 2.5 million, representing 4.7% of the adult population. Plates London was one of 26 restaurants given an accolade at the ceremony. Moor Hall, a modern European restaurant in the village of Aughton about 10 miles from Liverpool, became only the 10th restaurant across the UK and Ireland to hold the coveted three stars. It opened in 2017 and received its first two Michelin stars in the two following years. Michelin said: 'At Moor Hall, Chef Mark Birchall and his team have continued to hone their craft and have now achieved new levels of excellence. The ingredients, many from the kitchen garden, are outstanding; the chefs' culinary technique is hugely impressive; and the judgment of flavours, of when to prioritise simplicity and when to add complexity, is exemplary.' Birchall said: 'I think you kind of dream about these things. You kind of almost act it out in your mind of how you would be, but the the emotion is incredible.' A first Michelin star was awarded to 22 new restaurants, including nine in London, three in Ireland and two in Scotland, while Gorse in Cardiff became the first restaurant in the Welsh capital to achieve the feat. Greek restaurant Oma, in Borough Market, London, received its first star after it had earlier won the Opening of the Year award. This year's ceremony, in which five new Green stars were awarded for commitment to sustainability, was held as the Michelin Guide celebrates its 125th anniversary.
BBC News
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Plates London becomes first vegan restaurant to get Michelin star
A vegan restaurant in London has become the first ever to be awarded a Michelin other restaurants, including one serving The Ritz hotel in London, were also awarded stars at a ceremony in Glasgow on all, nine restaurants in the capital received their first star, which included Plates London, on Old Street, which serves a fully plant-based Kirk Haworth impressed judges by "taking his classical training and inventively adapting it to a vegan diet", Michelin said. Asked what he loved about vegan cooking at the ceremony, Mr Haworth said: "Trying to get rid of that word is everything that I love about it."It's just about flavour; that's all it's about. Flavour, excitement, innovation, and trying to take it to a new space of deliciousness."The judges also praised the restaurant's "earthy, natural vibe" and "warm hues". 'Thrilling cuisine' Judges said The Ritz Restaurant on Piccadilly was "currently at the peak of its powers" and had earned two stars after "taking classically based dishes… and adding increasing amounts of originality and modernity".Soho's Humble Chicken picked up a second star for "thrilling cuisine". Greek restaurant Oma, in Borough Market on London's South Bank, received its first star after it had earlier won the Opening of the Year Jorge Paredes said: "I am super excited. It's a dream come true for me."It has taken me a long time to show where I am, but now I'm very happy." Moor Hall, in the village of Aughton in Lancashire, was awarded a third star, becoming only the 10th restaurant across the UK and Ireland to achieve the accolade.A first Michelin star was awarded to 22 new restaurants in total - three in Ireland and two in Scotland - while Gorse in Cardiff became the first restaurant in the Welsh capital to achieve the year's ceremony was held as the Michelin Guide celebrates its 125th director Gwendal Poullennec said the company was "incredibly proud" of the said: "It's an opportunity to celebrate the core value that has shaped our identity since 1900 - unearthing exceptional gastronomic talent, showcasing local food culture and announcing life's most meaningful moments, whether shared around the table with loved ones, enjoyed in a hotel for a well-deserved break, or marking life's biggest celebration."
The Independent
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Vegan restaurant first to be awarded Michelin star in UK and Ireland
A vegan restaurant has become the first be to awarded a Michelin star as 26 of the accolades were given in the annual Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland. Several other restaurants, including one serving the famous The Ritz hotel in London, were also awarded three and two stars at a ceremony in Glasgow on Monday. Plates London, located on Old Street, serves a fully plant-based menu and chef Kirk Haworth wowed judges by 'taking his classical training and inventively adapting it to a vegan diet', Michelin said. Asked what he loved about cooking elevated vegan dishes at the ceremony, Mr Haworth said: 'Trying to get rid of that word is everything that I love about it. 'It's just about flavour, that's all it's about. Flavour, excitement, innovation, and trying to take it to a new space of deliciousness.' Moor Hall, located in the village of Aughton around 10 miles from Liverpool, opened in 2017 and received its first two Michelin stars in the two following years. The modern European restaurant becomes only the 10th restaurant across the UK and Ireland to currently hold the three stars. Michelin said: 'At Moor Hall, Chef Mark Birchall and his team have continued to hone their craft and have now achieved new levels of excellence. 'The ingredients, many from the kitchen garden, are outstanding; the chefs' culinary technique is hugely impressive; and the judgment of flavours, of when to prioritise simplicity and when to add complexity, is exemplary.' Reacting to the third star, Mr Birchall said: 'I think you kind of dream about these things. 'You kind of almost act it out in your mind of how you would be, but the the emotion is incredible.' The chef said the secret to Moor Hall's success was having a good team and making all its guests 'feel so special'. Judges said The Ritz Restaurant was 'currently at the peak of its powers' and had earned two stars after 'taking classically based dishes… and adding increasing amounts of originality and modernity'. Soho's Humble Chicken and neighbourhood restaurant hide and fox, in Kent, also each picked up second stars for their 'thrilling cuisine' and 'dishes that succeed on every level' respectively. A first Michelin star was awarded to 22 new restaurants, including nine in London, three in Ireland and two in Scotland, while Gorse in Cardiff became the first restaurant in the Welsh capital to achieve the feat. It's just about flavour, that's all it's about. Flavour, excitement, innovation, and trying to take it to a new space of deliciousness. Kirk Haworth, chef at Plates London Greek restaurant Oma, in Borough Market on London's South Bank, received its first star after it had earlier won the Opening of the Year award. Chef Jorge Paredes said: '(I am) super excited. It's a dream come true for me. '(It has) taken me a long time to show where I am, but now I'm very happy.' This year's ceremony, which also saw five new Green stars awarded for commitment to sustainability, was held as the Michelin Guide celebrates its 125th anniversary. Speaking at the ceremony, international director Gwendal Poullennec said the company was 'incredibly proud' of the milestone. He said: 'It's an opportunity to celebrate the core value that has shaped our identity since 1900 – unearthing exceptional gastronomic talent, showcasing local food culture and announcing life's most meaningful moments, whether shared around the table with loved ones, enjoyed in a hotel for a well-deserved break, or marking life's biggest celebration.' The full list of award-winning restaurants was: Three stars– Moor Hall, in Aughton, Lancashire Two stars– hide and fox – Saltwood, Kent– The Ritz Restaurant – London– Humble Chicken – London One star– Oma – London– Mark Poynton at Caistor Hall – Caistor St Edmund, Norfolk– Avery – Edinburgh, Scotland– The Morrison Room – Maynooth, Ireland– Wilsons – Bristol– Anglothai – London– Cornus – London– 33 The Homend – Ledbury, Herefordshire– Gorse – Cardiff, Wales– Starling – Esher, Surrey– Lita – London– Lyla – Edinburgh– 64 Goodge Street – London– Mauro Colagreco at Raffles London at the Owo – London– Skof – Manchester– Lignum – Bullaun, County Galway, Ireland– Forge – Middleton Tyas, North Yorkshire– Caractere – London– Row on 5 – London– Ballyfin – Ballyfin, County Laois, Ireland– Dosa – London– Plates London – London
