At an awards ceremony on 28 February 2023, the prestigious AA Rosette Awards were bestowed upon a select few new restaurant, including multiple establishments in London.
The prestigious AA Rosettes celebrate successful cooking in the UK and are handed out by restaurant inspectors based solely on their visit(s) to an establishment. While the Michelin stars are still the most renowned and coveted culinary awards, the Rosettes are still regarded as a high honour, especially as they often highlight lesser-known local eateries.
This year, no restaurant in the country received the highest number of Rosettes (five), but one did receive four, and 14 others received three. According to the AA, four Rosettes denote an establishment that is “among the top restaurants in the UK, where the cooking demands national recognition. These restaurants exhibit intense ambition, a passion for excellence, superb technical skills, and remarkable consistency. They will combine appreciation of culinary traditions with a passionate desire for further exploration and improvement.” The sole new recipient of the honour in 2023 is Amethyst in London, where chef Carlo Scotto serves a 12-course menu of cleverly prepared plates with global influences.
Three Rosettes (“Outstanding restaurants that achieve standards that demand recognition well beyond their local area. The cooking is underpinned by the selection and sympathetic treatment of the highest quality ingredients. Timing, seasoning and the judgment of flavour combinations will be consistently excellent. These virtues tend to be supported by other elements, such as intuitive service and a well-chosen wine list.”) were awarded to the following London establishments:
- Turnips, London
- Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal, London
- Restaurant 1890 by Gordon Ramsay, London
For the full list of this year's new recipients, check out the AA Rosette website here.
The AA Rosette Awards have also set off an important month for the UK dining sector, as the Michelin Guide will be revealing this year's star winners on 27 March. Expect their Bib Gourmand awards to drop in the lead up to that as well. We'll bring you all the news as they're announced right here, of course.