Cumbria’s The Cottage in the Wood restaurant near Keswick has entered the UK’s top 100 restaurants list at 24.
The annual Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards highlight the country’s top places to eat as voted for by an elite academy of chefs, restaurateurs and food writers nationwide. Head Chef Ben Wilkinson and Restaurant Director Monika Zurwaska travelled to London to join fellow top chefs and restaurateurs at the illustrious event hosted at Allegra in Stratford, East London.
Joining this select culinary hitlist for the first time, The Cottage in the Wood’s Michelin-starred ‘restaurant with rooms’ features alongside renowned establishments including St John, The Black Swan at Oldstead, Sabor and Mana.
The former 17th century coaching inn is located high up in ‘in a beautiful mountain forest 1,000ft above Keswick in the Lake District. Owners Kath and Liam Berney first opened the doors to guests in 2002, with Chef Director Ben Wilkinson and his partner Restaurant Director Monika Zurwaska joining in 2017. The restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star in Autumn 2019.
Head Chef at The Cottage in the Wood Ben Wilkinson (pictured) says, “We are over the moon, being selected in the top 24 is more than we were anticipating. We are delighted to join the ranks of the UK’s top 100 restaurants, which is well-respected in the industry, and to be in such good company. It’s a real ‘who’s who’ of fantastic dining experiences in the UK. After a challenging period this is a much needed morale boost and reflects what we are aiming for as a team, delicious food enjoyed as part of a great eating out experience.”
Co-owner of The Cottage in the Wood, Liam Berney, is also delighted. He comments, “This is such a marvellous accolade for Ben and the team here at The Cottage. Being listed in the top 24 really puts us on the culinary map as a ‘must visit’ foodie destination in the UK. We look forward to welcoming guests to dine with us over the coming months and to experience this special area of the Lake District.”
The National Restaurant Awards announced the full top 100 rankings at a ceremony at Allegra, London on Monday 19 July. The Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards has an elite and authoritative judging academy, using a panel of over 200 experts drawn from across the industry including food writers, chefs and restaurateurs.
The UK is split into 11 regions, with members of the academy voting for the top seven restaurants that they have dined at in the last 12 months, weighted in order of preference. The results are compiled, and the top 100 list of the best restaurants is created.
Other Cumbrian restaurants also in the 2021 top 100 include L’Enclume (ranked 5) and Hrishi (ranked 39) and Lake Road Kitchen (78).
