New AA rosettes for 2014

Posted by Chef Hermes on January 14, 2014 · Leave a Comment

Early this morning the AA released their January revisions. One can’t help but look at the list and think that the AA has one eye on a rival guide, Michelin. With the promotion of The Greenhouse from 3 to 4 rosettes, it just shows yet again how out of touch the AA really is. Arnaud Bignon collected 2 Michelin stars in September, only to be given 3 AA rosettes days earlier. There are numerous occasions where many have felt the AA has dropped the ball; that coupled with the elephant in the room, which just wont go away – consultancy & paid inspections.

According to Simon Numphud’s (Hotel Services Manager at AA Hotel Services.) twitter timeline the new revisions look like this:

New 4 AA Rosettes:

The Greenhouse, Mayfair

New 3 AA Rosettes:

The Bingham, London
Restaurant Adam, Birmingham
The Devonshire Arms, Yorkshire
Lower slaughter manor, Cotswolds
HKK, London
Hedone, London
Ormer, Jersey
Restaurant Story,London
Bo, London
Black swan, Helmsley
Restaurant Tristan, Horsham
The Grove, Narbeth
The Lovat, Loch Ness
Design House restaurant, Halifax
Roux at Parliment Square, London
Galvin at Windows, London
The Black Swan, Oldstead
Fallowfields, Oxfordshire

What makes the list all the more interesting, is the omissions. The lack of anything for Aiden Byrne at Manchester House, Billy Reid Danesfield House (although this maybe too soon, as he’s only just been confirmed as Adam Simmonds replacement) or Simon Rogan at The Midland Hotel.

Congratulations to all the winners, I’d like to think these awards were achieved with hard work & skill, but as the AA wont reveal who pays for their consultancy, I’ll never really know.

Predictions for the main event in 2014, concerning guides? The Good Food Guide will over take the AA rosettes, in terms of credibility, to become second only to Michelin.