First Michelin star 'is incredible feeling'

A chef says it feels "incredible" for his restaurant to be awarded its first Michelin star.

The Boat in Lichfield, Staffordshire, was given the industry accolade at a ceremony on Monday in Dublin.

Stars are awarded annually to establishments that offer outstanding food, with hundreds of starred restaurants in this year's The Michelin Guide.

Liam Dillon, who runs the Lichfield site, said: "I still haven't come back down to earth to be honest, it's quite a surreal experience."

The chef worked at top eateries in London, Sydney, Copenhagen and New York, before returning to his home city to open up nine years ago.

"To bring a star to The Boat in Lichfield where I grew up... the feeling's incredible," he said.

The restaurant offers a tasting menu and has its own micro-farm on site, which keeps pigs, chickens and bees.

Dillon said he was keen to make his "labour of love" business as sustainable as possible.

"It's a long journey, it takes time - as long as we're improving all the time then I shall be content," he said.

"I couldn't do it without the team I've got and it's a fantastic achievement for everyone involved."

The Boat is the second Lichfield restaurant to have been awarded a Michelin star, with Upstairs by Tom Shepherd keeping its star for another year.

The Wilderness, in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, was also recognised with a star for the first time on Monday.

Chef and owner Alex Claridge said gaining the accolade still felt like "a fever dream".

"I think over the last 10 years we've perhaps focused more on what we want to do and tried to ignore distractions," he said. "Just really focused on the food we want to eat.

"It just turns out that's actually the key.

"The culinary scene in the West Midlands is fabulous, we still have so many success stories, so many amazing talents despite the fact that this is a really challenging time for hospitality but it will always be a key part of what makes Birmingham, and we're glad to play a part."

Elsewhere in Birmingham, Adam's in the city centre and Simpsons in Edgbaston both kept their stars for 2026-2027, while Indian restaurant Opheem kept its two-star status.

Other restaurants in the region maintaining stars include The Cross in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, and Grace & Savour in Hampton in Arden, near Solihull.

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