Cumbrian restaurant celebrates retaining Michelin star
A CUMBRIAN fine dining restaurant is celebrating after successfully retaining its Michelin star.
Pentonbridge Inn, near Carlisle, has kept the coveted accolade after first being awarded it last year.
Head chef Chris Archer and General Manager Ross Bell travelled to Manchester for the launch ceremony of the 2024 Great Britain & Ireland Michelin Guide where this year’s Michelin starred restaurants were revealed.
Chris said: “Winning our first Michelin star last year was an amazing achievement for the team and our focus this past year has been to build on that success.
“The whole team is committed to delivering a fantastic experience for our guests and that dedication shines through in everything we do, from the dishes on our set tasting menu to the quality of the service.
“Retaining the Michelin star is testament to the hard work and talent of the entire team.
“We’re very proud to be part of the incredible food and drink scene in Cumbria which includes so many brilliant Michelin starred restaurants.”
The Michelin starred restaurants included in this year’s Great Britain & Ireland Michelin Guide were announced at a ceremony held at Manchester’s Midland Hotel on Monday evening (February 5).
Pentonbridge Inn is one of 13 Michelin starred venues in Cumbria to feature in the 2024 Guide. The county now has 12 one Michelin star restaurants, while L’Enclume at Cartmel has retained its three Michelin stars.
This year’s Michelin Guide includes two new Michelin star venues in Cumbria, the Cedar Tree by Hrishikesh Desai at Farlam Hall, Brampton and Lake Road Kitchen at Ambleside.
Pentonbridge Inn, which sits in countryside close to the Scottish Border at Penton in north Cumbria, offers a set tasting menu featuring ingredients sourced from the restored walled garden of its sister business, Netherby Hall, a historic stately home at nearby Longtown.
Chris works closely with the garden team at Netherby Hall to source the fruit, herbs and vegetables for the seasonally-inspired dishes, as well as working with quality suppliers from across Cumbria.
Chris has been Head Chef at Pentonbridge Inn for five years and honed his modern British style of cooking through working at Michelin starred and AA Rosette restaurants across the UK including Winteringham Fields, Midsummer House and The Cottage in the Wood, near Keswick.
The front-of-house team at Pentonbridge Inn is led by Ross, with the restaurant-with-rooms owned by Gerald and Margo Smith, who also operate luxury self-catering cottages and apartments at Netherby Hall.
Pentonbridge Inn holds three-AA Rosettes. It was named Newcomer of the Year in the Good Hotel Guide’s 2019 César Awards and picked up an Editor’s Choice Award for pub-with-rooms in 2022.
Pentonbridge Inn is open Wednesday to Saturday. The eight-course set tasting menu is also available Friday and Saturday lunchtimes.
Visit www.pentonbridgeinn.co.uk for more information.
Photo Captions
1.Pentonbridge Inn's General Manager, Ross Bell, and Head Chef, Chris Archer, at the 2024 Great Britain & Ireland Michelin Guide ceremony in Manchester.
2. Chris Archer, Head Chef at Pentonbridge Inn
3. The dining room at Pentonbridge Inn with view of the kitchen pass
4. Pentonbridge Inn, Penton, near Carlisle, in north Cumbria