STAFF at two restaurants in North Wiltshire have been given a reason to smile as they retain their Michelin Star awards for their critically acclaimed food.

Owners of The Harrow in Little Bedwyn are celebrating being awarded a single Michelin Star for the eleventh consecutive year while Whatley Manor's restaurant The Dining Room in Malmesbury preserved their two star status for the ninth consecutive year.

Roger Jones, 55, who owns The Harrow with his wife Sue, discovered their restaurant was being awarded with the prestigious accolade whilst he was cooking in London.

“This year, for the first time, there was an event held for new chefs who would receive the award, if you have already won then you were told at a later point. When I was cooking I kept being asked if I had won and I really didn’t know,” said Mr Jones.

The Harrow, which was first opened 18 years ago, prides itself on a constant level of quality, as well as a friendly and reliable staff base.

“I have one man, John Brown, with me who started off when he was 17 as a kitchen porter and who is now my head chef. Both of my front of house staff are from Bedwyn, so everyone is local. Mine and Sue’s two children Rich and Rhiannon both help out too when they are home,” added Mr Jones.

Having spent most of his life as a chef, Mr Jones has worked up and down the country, being one if the first chefs to cook at a banquet for the Queen.

“I have worked for the Queen, there was a banquet that started at the Guildhall, so I was one of the first chefs to do that in the 1980s,” Mr Jones said.

The Dining Room's executive chef Martin Burge, who joined the team when the hotel first opened in 2003, boasts heading one of 21 establishments in the country to have two Michelin Stars.

He said: "I am delighted to retain our two Michelin stars. I would like to pay tribute to my dedicated brigade who have worked tirelessly this year to maintain a menu worthy of this status. For us it is about a steady progression in creating modern dishes whilst keeping their classic roots. It is very important we give our guests the depth of flavours in each dish."

Mr Burge, who removed the a la carte menu in favour of a three seven-course tasting menu last April, has worked tirelessly to create bespoke dishes, tailored to seasonal ingredients.

General Manager, Sue Williams said: "This is excellent news. I congratulate Martin, the brigade and all restaurant staff for another outstanding year’s work. It is testament to their dedication that Whatley Manor is able to achieve such a prestigious accolade."