A WHITCHURCH business has cooked up a storm after being named in an acclaimed restaurant guide.

Docket No.33 based in Whitchurch High Street has been mentioned in this year’s edition of the world-famous Michelin Guide and is the first restaurant in the town to have done so.

At a launch event in London on Monday, which celebrated the creme de la creme of British and Irish restaurants, Docket No.33 was announced as one of just 1,463 restaurants in the guide and awarded ‘The Plate’.

The ‘sweet little restaurant set in a market town’ – as described by the prestigious guide – was opened in August 2017 by husband and wife team Stuart and Frances Collins.

The couple moved to Whitchurch with the sole purpose of opening the restaurant, as they “loved the idea of a market town” and felt that it lent itself well to their idea of using local ingredients.

“There is something about Shropshire market towns that is appealing,” said Stuart.

“The exciting thing is the restaurant has offered something unique for the town and people have been very supportive of it.

“People are really excited about it, which is great. It’s good for the town.

“We pride ourselves on using local produce, farms and suppliers. Everything is home-made. Everything we can do in-house, we do.

“We’re proud of where we are and the town.”

And despite having worked with TV chef Gordon Ramsay, and in places such as London and New York, co-owner and chef Stuart says that the mention was still a big shock.

“When I was working with Gordon, you kind of expected it.

“But when you’re on your own...we genuinely didn’t expect it to happen.

“They don’t tell you until they’ve eaten dinner who they are [Michelin reviewers].

“And then you just have to wait and hope it all went well.

“We managed to get into the guide and that’s just superb.”