Michelin Guide Special Award 2022: full winners list, what accolade means and when Michelin Guide 2022 is out

French tyre manufacturer Michelin has been publishing food and drink guides for more than a century.

Best known for handing out stars to the world’s top chefs and restaurants, Michelin also gives awards for the best value for money eateries - its Bib Gourmands - which it has already announced for 2022.

On Tuesday (15 February) it revealed the recipients of its Special Awards for restaurants and the people who work in them.

So who has taken home the Michelin Special Awards - and when will it announce who has received Michelin Stars for 2022?

Here’s what you need to know.

When will Michelin Stars be awarded?

Every year, Michelin hands out Stars to the dining establishments it considers to be the best of the best.

Over the years, chefs and restaurants have gained worldwide fame by being given the much-vaunted awards.

Gordon Ramsay, Raymond Blanc and Michel Roux Jr are just some of the well-known faces to have been awarded Michelin Stars.

Last year, Northern Ireland-born chef Clare Smyth became the UK’s first female chef to be awarded three Michelin Stars for her restaurant Core in London.

Michelin Stars for 2022 will be awarded at 10am on Wednesday (16 February), after which Michelin will launch its UK and Ireland Guide of the best places to eat in 2022.

Who has won Michelin Special Awards?

The Michelin 2022 Special Awards were announced on Tuesday (15 February).

Five gongs were given out this year - here is a full list of the categories and winners:

Chef Mentor Award - Philip Howard

The award for the chef’s chef goes to Philip Howard, who runs the Elystan Street restaurant in Chelsea, London.

Mr Howard has nurtured many talents, including Brett Graham, Gary Foulkes, Mark Kempson and Jun Tanaka, and was praised by Michelin for being a teacher as well as a confidante for those in his kitchens who are tackling personal issues.

Young Chef Award - The Selby brothers

Michelin has given this award to three chefs for the first time in its history.

The Selby brothers - Luke, Nathaniel and Theo - run Evelyn’s Table, a French and Japanese inspired basement restaurant in the heart of London’s West End.

Described as being an “inspiration to all”, the brothers cook up meals that “will linger long in the memory,” according to Michelin.

Welcome and Service Award - Dale Dewsbury at Andrew Fairlie, Gleneagles Hotel

A key person in any fine dining experience is the meet and greet.

It’s their job to put you at ease, anticipate your every need and answer any questions you may have.

Dale Dewsbury at the Gleneagles Hotel - the unofficial home of Scottish fine dining - was praised by Michelin for being on hand not only for his guests, but also for his staff.

Sommelier Award - Isa Bal at Trivet, London

Viewers of BBC series Masterchef will be familiar with Trivet, which featured in one of the challenges during 2021’s series.

The restaurant’s food offering is renowned but it is its wine list that sets it apart from most other eateries.

Offering bottles from lesser-known countries, including Georgia, Armenia and Turkey, as well as the classics, Isa Bal was praised by Michelin for his “passionately compiled, highly original list” that orders wines according to when winemaking first started in each country.

Opening of the Year Award - SY23, Aberystwyth

The contemporary Welsh restaurant, run by chef and part-owner Nathan Davies, was praised by Michelin for its atmosphere and decor.

Boasting an open kitchen, “vibrant soundtrack” and “statement” furnishings, the UK and Ireland Guide writers described the establishment as “a breath of fresh air” for the West Wales coastal town.

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