Gordon Ramsay has upped his already high profile with two more Michelin stars to his name – bringing his total to 10.
The outspoken chef-turned-TV star has lapped up the honours in the new 2007 Michelin Restaurant Guide.
Ramsay's Petrus restaurant in Knightsbridge, London received a coveted second star, Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea retained its coveted three star rating, and La Noisette, also in Knightsbridge, took its first 'macaroon', as the French call the sought-after rosettes.
With 10 stars Ramsay is by far the most-starred UK chef. He is beaten worldwide only by Alain Ducasse, who has a total of 14 stars spread around an empire which covers London, Paris, Beirut, Las Vegas, Tokyo and all points between.
Ramsay's flagship in Royal Hospital Road in Chelsea is one of only three restaurants to hold three-star status in the UK. The other two are Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck in Bray, and its near-neighbour the Waterside Inn, run by Michel Roux.
Elsewhere, critics' favourite Arbutus, winner of Decanter's Best Newcomer 2006 Award (see February issue for review), and Tatler's Best Newcomer gong last week, was one of 13 new restaurants to be awarded their first star.
Other stars went to all corners of the British Isles. Christophe in Guernsey received its second star, and Atlantic in Jersey got one star, to take its place in the Guide alongside its one-starred neighbour the Bohemia bar and restaurant.
In Wales the Crown at Whitebrook was awarded a star, helping to raise the profile of the Welsh culinary scene.
The Crown joins Plas Bodegroes in Pwllheli, North Wales, as the only Michelin starred restaurants in Wales. Ynyshir Hall in Aberystwyth has lost its place in the guide.
The hotel was praised for its 'local produce given an inventive, modish edge.'
Guide editor Derek Bulmer said he would like to see Wales capitalise on the Crown's success.
'London has plenty; Edinburgh and Dublin have got stars too, so I suppose we are looking at Cardiff as the only capital in Britain and Ireland without one.'
The Michelin Guide 2007 goes on sale tomorrow.
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