CELEBRATIONS FOR TWO WREXHAM COUNTY RESTAURANTS...
The Hand at Llanarmon and the Machine House Rossett both feature in the prestigious 2018 Michelin Guide...
On Monday night, Michelin announced the entrants of the 2018 guide at a live event at The Brewery, near the Barbican, in east London. For two Wrexham County based chefs, it was a cause to celebrate...
There were celebrations in Wrexham County's very own Ceiriog Valley back in late 2016, when Head Chef Grant Mulholland and owners Jonathan & Jackie Greatorex discovered that the Hand at Llanarmon had made the 2017 Michelin Guide. Fast forward one year and the inspectors had seen enough of their fresh, seasonal and stylish menu to warrant further inclusion.
​
Yet at the other end of Wrexham County, Chef Kevin Lynn had news of his own - as having taken over the Machine House in Rossett back in 2016, Kevin and his brigade had taken the dining offer in the County up another notch and secured their own entry into the 2018 Michelin Guide too.
​
Both Kevin and Grant have loyal followings, but it is their input into the fast emerging quality food scene in Wrexham County that has both locals and visitors taking note.
Wrexham County is on the up, but whilst historically it may have been based solely around industry and exports, today tourism and the popularity of North Wales' global appeal (...today ranked 4th best place in the world to visit by Trip Advisor) is contributing to highlighting the hidden qualities of Wrexham. A lot of this is down to its hospitality, its rural charm, our rich heritage, our talent base but also the rich abundance of quality food now appearing on menus daily.
Both Grant and Kevin have been thrilled since receiving the news earlier this week, with Grant saying;
"This was fantastic news to receive earlier in the week. The whole team at the Hand offer a first class welcome, so we have to ensure that the food we create in the kitchen matches up to the diners expectations at all times. We're passionate about local produce and have great relationships with our suppliers from within the Ceiriog Valley and beyond. Overall, we're all absolutely thrilled!"
​
Kevin added;
"This is a huge honour to be included in the 2018 Michelin Guide. The whole team is buzzing and we must sincerely thank our customers for supporting us through our first year in business. All throughout my career, I've been a massive believer in making the best of local produce and to see it so warmly welcomed in Wrexham County has been terrific!"
​
Speaking about the entries for both restaurants and how food is impacting on tourism in the County, Joe Bickerton, Destination Manager at Wrexham County Borough Council said;
​
"The quality of our food scene was perhaps an undersold element of our offer here in the County, but the consistency of places like the Hand at Llanarmon and now the Machine House in Rossett has definitely warranted their inclusion in the 2018 Michelin Guide. Both Grant and Kevin are perfectionists with their menus and passionate about the use of sourcing high-quality local produce, whether it's from within Wales or over the Cheshire border.
For us, this means that the tourism offer in the County benefits as both kitchens deliver consistent quality and importantly, they set the bar to inspire others to be the best that they can be too.
​
Going forward into 2018, undoubtedly this will be a great accolade for both restaurants - and in turn, their reputation will see a further influx of visitors to their destination eateries who will stay and spend in the local area for the benefit of others too. Overall - this is terrific news and both teams deserve everyone's congratulations!"
​
To learn more about both the Hand at Llanarmon and also the Machine House in Rossett - check out their promo films below...
