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Skof scoops Michelin Star in stunning victory for Manchester

SO DESERVED.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 10th February 2025

Skof has taken home a Michelin Star less than a year after opening in a landmark moment for Manchester.

The restaurant, which only opened in May last year, has been awarded its first Michelin Star tonight in a glittering ceremony hosted in Glasgow.

It’s a huge triumph for Manchester, which only had one Michelin Star before tonight, held by Mana in Ancoats.

Prior to Mana, the city had famously not had a star for more than 40 years.

The prestigious award for Skof has been presented to chef Tom Barnes, former L’Enclume executive chef.

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Skof lies under Simon Rogan’s UMBEL restaurant group umbrella, and opened last year in an old textile warehouse just a short stroll from Manchester Victoria.

Skof was added to the Michelin Guide last August, where judges wrote: “Located in an old textile warehouse, this restaurant from former L’Enclume Executive Chef Tom Barnes gives a nod to Manchester’s industrial heritage with its exposed brickwork and girders.

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“The cooking skilfully blends measured international flavours with those from the restaurant’s doorstep; for dessert, you’re just as likely to get amakase sorbet as you are Manchester honey ice cream.

“The meal ends with a scoop of “Barney’s Tiramisu”, touchingly inspired by Tom’s late father.

“A relaxed atmosphere is encouraged, with the chef’s hand-picked playlist and the chattering diners combining for a brilliant buzz.”

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This is a breaking news story – more to follow.

Read more: All the Greater Manchester restaurants included in the Michelin Guide

Featured image: Cristian Barnett

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Chester Zoo is giving away more than 30,000 FREE tickets to children

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Kids at Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo is giving away thousands of tickets to local schools to help inspire a new generation of young conservationists.

The UK’s largest charity zoo is on a mission to help nature to “survive and thrive”.

And so, in a bid to do just that, has announced that it will once again be handing out tens of thousands of tickets to schoolchildren for completely free of charge, so that they can explore the zoo up close and learn all about the inspiring work the conservation charity does.

Chester Zoo‘s free ticket scheme has been running since 2017, and has already seen more than 175,000 children get to experience all the wonders the zoo has to offer.

With the hopes of empowering as many youngsters as possible, and sparking their passion for saving species once again, the zoo has now opened the scheme back up for the 2025/26 season – with a whopping 33,000 tickets available for schools, nurseries, and colleges to claim.

Those who secure tickets will have the opportunity to visit the zoo between this November and February 2026.

Applications are open to any school in the UK that hasn’t already benefitted from the scheme within the last four academic years, while home educators are also eligible to apply as a group through a Home Educators’ Network.

Penguins at Chester Zoo
Schoolchildren at Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo is giving away more than 30,000 free tickets to children this year / Credit: Chester Zoo

“We’re offering thousands of children the opportunity to experience the wonders of the natural world firsthand at the zoo,” commented Charlotte Smith, who is the Director of Conservation Education and Engagement at Chester Zoo.

“Young people are more concerned than ever about nature decline and climate change, and by working closely with schools across the UK, we can provide them with the skills, knowledge and inspiration to make a real positive difference.”

She added that “every child has the potential to be a future conservationist”.

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Places are limited each day to ensure everyone can enjoy their zoo visit – with priority given to schools who have not benefitted from the scheme before.

You can find out more and apply for free tickets here.

Featured Image – Chester Zoo

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‘It means everything’ – Skof chef Tom Barnes speaks on historic Michelin star win for Manchester

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Skof chef and owner Tom Barnes has issued a statement following his first Michelin star win last night, saying it ‘means everything’.

In case you missed it, the Michelin Guide UK & Ireland ceremony for 2025 was hosted in Glasgow yesterday evening, and it was here that Manchester restaurant Skof and its chef and owner, Tom Barnes, scooped its first Michelin star in what was a monumental win for his team and the city’s culinary scene as a whole.

Manchester had only one Michelin star before last night’s ceremony, held by Mana in Ancoats – but prior to Mana, the city had famously not had a star for more than 40 years.

Skof only opened its doors to the public last May, and can be found inside an old textile warehouse just a short stroll from Manchester Victoria station.

The restaurant was added to the Michelin Guide last August.

Skof chef Tom Barnes has spoken out on his historic Michelin star win for Manchester / Credit: Cristian Barnett

Following the impressive victory last night, chef Tom Barnes took to Instagram to issue a statement shortly after the ceremony was over, sharing his gratitude to his team for helping Skof achieve such a prestigious honour.

His statement reads: “I opened Skof to share my own take on fine dining with Manchester and beyond, so to be recognised by the Michelin Guide for what we do, means everything.

“The idea of building something that people love and that celebrates this industry was the fire inside that pushed me to try again when something didn’t work, or to tweak a dish to see if an even better version could be achieved.

“This determination of mine wouldn’t have got me very far if it wasn’t shared by my team. Words will not be enough to show my thanks for their ambition, hard work and, above all, skill. Every single one of them is vital to the success of Skof and every accomplishment is theirs to claim.

“The encouragement from our guests and supporters has given us hope to keep going through a very long build and has made us smile countless times. You’ve brought so much joy into our restaurant and without you, it wouldn’t be the same. Thank you.

“To Carla and my family, you have been there for me at every step of this wild journey, this is your success too.

“And to my work family, Simon, Sam, and the support from the team at UMBEL restaurants and ASM Global, thank you for your trust and for helping me grow.”

Tom Barnes and the Skof team outside the restaurant. Credit: Cristian Barnett.
Chef and owner Tom Barnes said a special thank you to his Skof team / Credit: Cristian Barnett.

After thanking his team, his loved ones, and his mentors within the industry, Barnes then closed out his statement by congratulating all of the other ‘amazing restaurants’ who gained and retained stars at the ceremony last night – particularly his colleagues from restaurants he’s trained at and worked in through his career.

“I hope the hangovers aren’t too bad this morning,” his statement comically concluded.

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Elsewhere at the ceremony last night, Ormskirk restaurant Moor Hall became only the tenth establishment in the UK and Ireland to be awarded the hugely-coveted honour of having three Michelin stars, in what was another huge win for the North West.

Featured Image – Cristian Barnett

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