09 February 2026
Share
At this year’s MICHELIN Guide Ceremony for Great Britain & Ireland, which took place at the Convention Centre in Dublin on Monday 9th February, a host of exciting news was announced. Among it was the announcement of five MICHELIN Special Awards, for hospitality professionals who inspire us all. These are the people who make restaurants memorable and ensure that dining out remains such a special experience. Read on to discover this year’s winners.
Opening of the Year Award: Shwen Shwen, Sevenoaks
Instantly proving itself as a shining light in the Kent dining scene, Maria Bradford’s Shwen Shwen has been one of the year’s biggest triumphs. The self-taught chef’s natural talent is evident across a menu of dishes inspired by her Sierra Leonean heritage. Our Inspectors found her cooking to be generous, visually sumptuous and wholly satisfying thanks to a keen sense of balance and well-judged spicing.The whole restaurant, not just the food, has been a great success, with a joyously colourful dining room and slick, attentive service adding to the experience. Shwen Shwen has also been awarded a Bib Gourmand this year for its great value cooking.
Young Chef Award, Sponsored by La Rousse Foods: Tom Earnshaw – Bohemia, Saint Helier
Taking over the Head Chef position at Jersey’s long-standing MICHELIN-Star restaurant at the age of 27, Tom Earnshaw has quickly proven himself to be a noteworthy talent. Backing up a CV that includes stints at The Samling, Moor Hall and Northcote, the chef has seamlessly maintained the Bohemia kitchen’s high level, showing both technical skill and mature restraint across his menus, while incorporating delightful dashes of originality.The Inspectors particularly loved a dish of white and brown Jersey crab meat, which incorporated a Thai red curry panna cotta and a kaffir lime sorbet – the flavours were sublime and exemplified why Tom Earnshaw is such an exciting chef.
Learn more about Tom Earnshaw and why the Inspectors loved his cooking.
Service Award: Barbara Nealon – Saint Francis Provisions, Kinsale
Ireland is famed for its warm hospitality, and if you want to see what that means in practice, then Saint Francis Provisions should be top of your to-visit list. Barbara Nealon, owner and manager of this charming restaurant, has made it into a true jewel of the County Cork dining scene. Her approach to service is relaxed and personal, putting her guests at ease whilst ensuring everything runs as efficiently as possible.In a busy restaurant, the team work with such skill and calmness that you barely notice how many tables they’re serving and how quickly they’re moving. Above all, this is a restaurant where you can feel the love poured into it – the kind of place that puts a smile on your face and has you planning your return.
Sommelier Award: Roxane Dupuy – Row on 5, London
You will find few better wine lists than the selection of over 2,400 choices at Row on 5, which this year was awarded its second MICHELIN Star. As sommelier, Roxane Dupuy is responsible for this extraordinary list, using her deep knowledge to bring together fascinating wines from all over the world. In particular, at a restaurant well-suited for celebrations, our Inspectors were impressed by the superb selection of grower champagnes.But being a sommelier is about more than your list, and Roxane Dupuy excels in every aspect. A natural and engaging presence, she puts guests at ease with her relaxed manner and spot-on recommendations. With a list this long, you need some help navigating it, and she is on hand to do that with great skill.
Learn more about the whole fabulous experience at Row on 5.
Exceptional Cocktails Award, Sponsored by Tokaj: Alasdair Shaw – Sebb’s, Glasgow
From the team behind Ox and Finch, Ka Pao and Margo, Sebb’s has quickly become another success, picking up not just a Bib Gourmand this year but also the Exceptional Cocktails Award for Head of Drinks Alasdair Shaw. Take one look at the drinks menu and it’s easy to see why Sebb’s is such a paradise for cocktail lovers, with a diverse list that ranges from timeless classics including negronis and palomas to slushies, shots and bespoke drinks with a creative streak.One of our Inspectors particularly enjoyed the miso and malt old fashioned, a take on the classic with a round, buttery taste and a hint of passion fruit for freshness. It’s indicative of the serious approach to drinks taken at Sebb’s, where the cocktails pair perfectly with the flavour-packed cooking.
Discover the Sebb's cocktail selection in more detail with a MICHELIN Guide Inspector.
Related Articles:
Hero Image: Maria Bradford receives the Opening of the Year Award for her Sierra Leonean restaurant Shwen Shwen in Sevenoaks. © The MICHELIN Guide
