For the first time in history, a plant-based restaurant in London has received a Michelin star.
Located in Old Street, Plates London was founded in July 2024 by sibling chef duo Keeley and Kirk Haworth, the latter of whom was praised by Michelin for "taking his classical training and inventively adapting it to a vegan diet."
The ceremony, which took place in Glasgow on Monday, February 10th.
When asked at the ceremony what he enjoyed most about preparing vegan food, Kirk stated: "Trying to eliminate the concept of veganism is everything that I enjoy about it. It's all about the taste; that's all it's about. Taste, excitement, innovation, and striving to take it to a new realm of deliciousness."
Over the past decade, there has been a significant surge in the popularity and widespread presence of plant-based restaurants throughout the UK.
In the UK, making up 4.7% of the adult population, according to fintech company Finder, there are now over 6,400 plant-based restaurants.
Despite this, high-end vegan restaurants are still scarce, as fine dining's cultural roots lie deeply in richly flavored meat and dairy, and many classically trained chefs lack expertise in more complex plant-based cooking and innovation.
Chefs are also facing greater financial risks when trying to adapt vegan cuisine to a fine dining environment.
It's already extremely challenging to earn a living with a restaurant. After dedicating years to perfecting the art of preparing exceptional dishes, such as the perfect roast chicken, tender filet of beef, or succulent lobster sauce, it will require a significant effort to adapt to a plant-based menu.
In its warm and natural atmosphere, Plates London presents exceptional dishes such as mung and urad bean lasagne, kabocha squash and ginger soup, and raw cacao cake. By skillfully prioritizing sustainability, they've created a menu that turns fresh produce into intricate and artistic creations, earning them the title of "Champion of Champions" on the BBC's Great British Menu TV series last year.
“Receiving a Michelin star is an amazing achievement and a lifelong ambition since I was a young man,” Kirk said. “To be the first in the plant-based sector in the UK to win this highly esteemed award makes me incredibly proud, and I am deeply thankful to our talented team for their hard work and commitment.”
Keeley added: "We at Plates have always been committed to breaking new ground, and this accomplishment demonstrates that plant-based cuisine can confidently stand alongside the finest in culinary excellence."
A total of 22 new restaurants received their first Michelin star at the 125th awards, three of which were located in Ireland, two in Scotland, and one in Cardiff, marking a first for the Welsh capital.
In the meantime, Moor Hall, situated in the small village of Aughton in Lancashire, England, earned the distinction of being the UK and Ireland's only new three-star restaurant.