Three Sussex restaurants have been featured on the Michelin Guide for 2023.
Interlude in Leonardslee Gardens near Horsham and Gravetye Manor in East Grinstead kept their one Michelin star for this year's guide, whilst Ben Wilkinson at The Pass in Horsham was a new addition to the list.
The prestigious stars were unveiled at the Michelin Guide Ceremony Great Britain & Ireland Guide 2023 on Monday, March 27.
The full guide can be found on the website here, and this is what Michelin had to say about the three Sussex establishments.
What did the Michelin Guide say about the Sussex restaurants
When discussing Interlude the guide stated: "The 240 acre, Grade I listed Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens were first planted in 1801 and are famous today for their azaleas, rhododendrons and even a wallaby colony.
"They are now run by the owner of a South African vineyard, who has also restored the Grade II listed Italianate mansion where you’ll find this intimate, elegant restaurant.
"Both the Executive Chef and the Head Chef hail from South Africa, but the surprise tasting menu of 17+ courses keeps its focus firmly on the local area, with produce foraged from the garden or sourced nearby.
"Skilfully crafted dishes show good balance in their textures and flavours, and take on a creative, original style. They also produce their own gin for the aperitifs and offer wines from their Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate in The Cape."
The restaurant has also been well-received on Tripadvisor, with a 4.5/5 overall score from 93 reviews.
Meanwhile, when discussing Gravetye Manor the guide said: "This quintessential country house is surrounded by 35 acres of glorious gardens; it was, after all, once home to pioneering gardener William Robinson.
"Ornate Elizabethan ceilings and fireplaces feature in beautiful lounges, while the restaurant sits within a striking contemporary extension and skilfully balances tradition with modernity."
Gravetye Manor, like Interlude, has also been well-received on Tripadvisor, securing a 5/5 score from 1,049 reviews.
Speaking about the food, the guide added: "The kitchen garden provides the restaurant’s heartbeat – if it’s not in season, you simply won’t find it on the menu – and chef George Blogg really knows how to get the best out of his produce.
"Carefully executed, measured dishes appeal to both the taste buds and the eyes, with their vibrant flavours and appealingly colourful presentation.
"Service is warm and personalised, and bedrooms are luxurious."
Ben Wilkinson at The Pass has also been fairly well-reviewed on Tripadvisor, earning a 4/5 rating from 45 reviews so far.
In discussing it the guide said: "It’s a long way from Keswick to Horsham but, in making the move, the eponymous chef has brought life back to The Pass at South Lodge, one of the finest country house hotels in this part of the world.
"Ben Wilkinson is an intelligent and skilful chef who runs a calm, focused kitchen; sit at the high-topped tables to watch him and his young team prepare and then proudly serve a tasting menu of appealingly understated dishes.
"The flavours build as the menu progresses, and the suggested wine pairings are the way to go. Affable service adds to the experience."
Head Chef Ben Wilkinson joined The Pass in August 2022, bringing Michelin star success and a wealth of experience from his former Head Chef position at The Cottage in the Wood in the Lake District.
Ben’s tasting menu brings seasonal and British produce from Sussex and beyond to diners’ plates. Signature dishes include Celeriac, fillet, smoked emulsion, beef cheek, hen of the woods and Newhaven day boat turbot, asparagus, oyster, Ridgeview sparkling, king oyster mushroom. With Sussex now leading the way with many up-and-coming dining destinations, The Pass is extremely proud to be sharing the stage with some amazing restaurants.
Ben said “Since joining The Pass last year, we’ve been delivering a Michelin starred dining experience to all our guests, so we are delighted to have been awarded with such a prestigious achievement which the team and I can all shout about. We all know that Sussex has fabulous local produce and suppliers, and we are always excited to showcase this to our guests through our innovative tasting menus”.
