L’Enclume crowned Good Food Guide’s most exciting restaurant 2022

Simon Rogan From Lenclume With A Box Of Freshly Picked Veg On His Cartmel Farm

Davey Brett 19 October 2022

Moor Hall also rated ‘World Class’ and places third in top 20

It wouldn't be a new month on the calendar without a new award, ranking or guide announcement. This time it’s the Good Food Guide and a certain Cumbrian-based chef has risen to the top once again.

I’m so proud of my team and what we’ve achieved

That’s right, Simon Rogan’s L’Enclume in Cartmel, Cumbria has been crowned Restaurant of the Year and number one in this year’s top 20 most exciting restaurants in the UK. “While other restaurants follow trends, L’Enclume follows its own nose, not pigeon-holing comfortably into any recognisable style,” reads the Guide entry for Rogan’s three Michelin star restaurant.

L'Enclume returned to the top spot for the 2020 guide (announced late 2019) having dropped to second place for a couple of years previously. The pandemic and a buyout of the guide by Code Hospitality meant it took a gap year in 2020 and no list was announced last year. Now it returns with this latest Top 20 announcement, in retrospective form to celebrate the very best in 2022.

Elsewhere, the North West placed again in the form of Mark Birchall’s Moor Hall which is ranked third in the top 20, up from fifth place in the 2020 guide.

Simon Rogan And Paul Burgalieres In The Lenclume Kitchen — **Simon at work in the kitchen** Image: L'Enclume

Strong northwest showing, whilst eyes turn to Brum

It’s another impressive award for Simon Rogan and his team, who this year were awarded three Michelin stars, the first restaurant outside of London and the home counties to be awarded the honour. L’Enclume also placed tenth in this year’s Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards with Rogan winning Chef of the Year.

The Good Food Guide ranking is also another jewel in the crown for Mark Birchall’s Moor Hall, adding to this year’s addition of a Michelin Green Star and second-place ranking in the Estrella Damm’s Restaurant Awards Top 100 rankings. Both were only two out of three on the Guide which were deemed "World Class" alongside Ynyshir, Ceredigion.

Restaurant Moor Hall In Ormskirk Manchester — **'World Class' Restaurant Moor Hall** Image: Moor Hall

Elizabeth Carter and Chloe Hamilton, Editors of The Good Food Guide, said of Moor Hall:

“There is no ignoring the fact that Moor Hall is a really extraordinary restaurant. Mark Birchall has always shown an incredibly controlled and precise approach to cooking. He never overreaches – his fantastic repertoire of signature dishes is refined over the year – and the thrills here come from the spectacular level of thought and detail at every step. As a concept it is perfect, an undoubtedly world-class restaurant.”

The praise also follows Mark's recent win at the AA Awards 2022 where he won chef's chef.

Speaking to The Good Food Guide meanwhile, Simon Rogan said of the accolade:

“I’m so proud of my team and what we’ve achieved. I’m a bit overwhelmed - here, we’ve always just set out to create something people want to visit.”

Other awards were also announced last night at a glitzy ceremony, as chefs and restaurateurs gathered at The Groucho Club in London last night. Birmingham scooped ‘The Most Exciting Food Destination’ whilst Nick Rudge of The Jackdaw in Conwy was crowned Chef to Watch.

Check below for the full list.