This morning, Michelin Guide announced its 2022 awards and a number of restaurants have come out on top.
None more so in the north, however, than Simon Rogan’s L’Enclume in Cumbria, which has made history this morning as the first restaurant outside of London and Bray to ever be bestowed with the honour of three Michelin stars – the highest award it is possible to receive.
As Chief Executive of Manchester’s Northern Restaurant and Bar show Thom Hetherington points out, it’s the first time in the 49 year history of the UK and Ireland guides that a restaurant up north has been awarded the gong.
L’Enclume was awarded its first Michelin star in 2005 and its second in 2013. Now, in its twentieth year, the restaurant in Cartmel can boast three stars.
Chef patron Simon Rogan pictured in the L’Enclume kitchen garden. / Image: L’Enclume
It is known for using the best in local produce, much home-produced on its own farm, and creating modern dishes packed full of flavour.
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Reacting to the news, chef-patron Simon Rogan shared his joy at being awarded the honour, tweeting: “Words cannot express the joy that I’m feeling! Thank you to @MichelinGuideUK , to everyone at @lenclume, thank you a thousand times. #threemichelinstars”
“Few restaurants represent the region in which they’re located more than L’Enclume and the Lake District. The cooking in this lovely old smithy has never stopped evolving and the energy emanating from the kitchen is as palpable as ever.
“Classic dishes have been reworked and refined, while stunning new dishes have slotted seamlessly into the set menu.
Image: L’Enclume
“Simon Rogan may have interests in other parts of the world, but his passion for his first restaurant remains undimmed – as does his commitment to Cartmel and his nearby 12-acre farm which produces so much of the superb produce that clearly inspires the kitchen.
“The enthusiasm and obvious pride of the youthful service team further enhance the experience, an experience made even more memorable if you stay in one of the bedrooms spread about the village.”
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A blog post from Michelin following the announcement this morning added:
“There is now quite an extraordinary level of finesse in every dish. Flavours linger long in the memory. The kitchen is practiced and focussed. Techniques are clever and, combinations, inventive and original. But however clever the construction, nothing gets in the way of allowing the ingredients to shine.
“The young, professional service team work with obvious pride and have a clear understanding of what makes a great restaurant. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming and inclusive; there isn’t a hint of arrogance or complacency; and every guest leaves feeling that they have been treated to something truly special.”
Image: L’Enclume
Since Michelin shared the news, messages of congratulations have flooded in for L’Enclume and its head chef Simon Rogan.
Restaurant consultant and NRB boss Thom Hetherington posted: “Well there you go. At last. The first @michlein 3* outside of London and Bray in the entire 49 years of the UK Michelin guide, and of course it’s up North. Unprecedented. Massive congratulations to @simon_rogan and the @lenclume team. A long time coming, and utterly deserved.”
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Gary Usher, the man behind the Elite Bistros group that includes Hispi and Kala, wrote: “Can’t not smile watching this. So so great! congratulations!”
UK Hospitality chief Kate Nicholls said: “Many congratulations – always a must-visit when in the Lakes” Daniel Cornwell posted: “*THE BEST*. I may have gone about how much love I have for this place. For them to finally get their third star is absolutely incredible news. So very very pleased for them all.”
Former Manchester United star Patrice Evra is set to make his MMA debut very soon
Danny Jones
In another somewhat left-field turn of events in the sporting world, ex-Manchester United star Patrice Evra is set to swap his boots for gloves as he prepares to make his MMA debut.
The retired Man United player and French international ended his playing days back in 2019 after a short one-year spell at West Ham, and has mostly worked as a pundit in recent years.
Evra, 43, stunned his millions of followers online and even more football and fight fans alike by announcing he would be trying his hand at combat sports earlier this week.
Hopping on social media to confirm the news, it’s fair to say he’s already relishing the challenge.
The former left-back made 379 appearances for the Red Devils, winning 14 trophies, but this will be his first in the European division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL), the second-biggest promotion in MMA after the UFC.
As far as we know, Evra has little to no background in fighting of any discipline, even if he was used to the more physical side of the game as a defender.
Writing via X on Friday, 25 April, the 2008 Champions League and ’09 Club World Cup winner, said: “I’m officially training for my first fight with PFL Europe. They will pick my opponent… They asked who I wanna face. I said: Luis Suárez.
“I’ll pay out of pocket. He can even bite me.”
Suárez, still playing at 38, was not only found guilty of at least three instances of biting other players but was famously charged with racially abusing Patrice Evra back in 2011, with the two sharing a strong feud ever since.
Now, since the Uruguayan striker is still playing professional football over in the MLS, alongside the one and only Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, we wouldn’t hold our breaths.
Nevertheless, it seems as though he will be fighting someone on 23 May, once an opponent is selected in the coming weeks.
Evra has been training with Cameroonian-French mixed martial artist and friend, Cédric Doumbé, a former kickboxing specialist and now an established fighter in the welterweight class.
Joking aside, although there are a lot of controversial moves that are legal in MMA, biting isn’t one of them – not that it ever stopped the former Liverpool forward in the past.
Speaking in an official press conference, Evra said: “I’ve performed on the world’s biggest stages, won every major trophy in football, but PFL Europe Paris will be an incredibly special night for me.
“I’ve been training alongside the best in the world for years, and they’ll also tell you I’m ready for this. I’m going to put on a show at the Accor Arena on 23 May, so come watch the spectacle.”
As out of the blue as it may seem, he obviously isn’t the only former athlete to have swapped one sport for another after calling time in their first career.
In fact, he’s not even the first United player to change lanes.
Mix-up leaves tourists bound for Peak District on a day trip to… Rochdale
Daisy Jackson
Who needs rolling hills and country pubs when you could have *checks notes* roadworks and charity shops?
Well, that’s the situation two people ended up in recently after a mix-up rerouted their trip to the Peak District to Rochdale, of all places.
Thankfully seeing the funny side, Canadian TikTok creator Mackenzie shared a video of the day trip they got stuck with.
The pair of mates had been planning a trip to the honeypot town of Castleton in the Peak District, but accidentally ended up heading over to Castleton in Rochdale instead.
In the light-hearted clip, she says: “This is just a reminder to read the small print when you want to do a spontaneous trip. Because Margarita and I thought we were going to the Peaks, and this is where we are…” while panning to the sight of some roadworks.
She continued: “We thought we were going to see gorgeous green hills. Nope.
“Anyways, come with us on our Castleton Manchester, not Peak District adventure.”
They visited Springfield Park, went to a pub to eat onion rings (with a random giant dog staring at them), erm… went to a charity shop, and looked at some houses.
Okay so not quite the Peak District paradise they were picturing.
One person commented: “Absolutely howling. Come all the way from America to end up in Rochdale” (Mackenzie stressed in her reply that she lives in Manchester and also, is Canadian).
Another said: “It’s the Springfield park for me”
Someone else suggested: “Rochdale should rename all of its areas to encourage more tourists. Hahah”
Dying to know if these girls ever made it to Castleton, Derbyshire.
Georgina Pellant -
16th February 2022 
