A hotel's gourmet restaurant on the outskirts of Chester has received a top national honour.

The Vines at Carden, based at the Carden Park Hotel, has achieved a three-Rosette rating at the AA Hospitality Awards 2024.

Only one of four within the Cheshire region to receive the accolade, The Vines is within the top 10 per cent of venues in the national AA Restaurant Guide.

This rating recognises restaurants that achieve exceptional culinary standards. It acknowledges consistently excellent timing, seasoning and judgement of flavour combinations using the highest quality ingredients.

The award also takes into account intuitive service and a well-chosen wine list. To be awarded three Rosettes, a restaurant must achieve 'culinary standards that demand national recognition well beyond their local area’.

The AA's inspector said of The Vines: "Subtle shades of cream and warm whites, discreet lighting and well-spaced, linen-clothed tables make for an elegant setting to enjoy the finely tuned contemporary dishes. The wine list includes bottles from their own vineyard."

Also impressing the AA inspector were the surroundings, describing Carden Park golf and spa hotel as "sumptuous", and the surrounding area as "pretty".

On the new rating, director and general manager Hamish Ferguson said: “We're absolutely delighted to have been awarded this prestigious accolade, and proud to be within the 10 per cent of restaurants/hotels within the AA Restaurant Guide that have three Rosettes and above. This outstanding rating is a testament to our incredibly talented chefs and restaurant employees”

Executive chef Graham Tinsley MBE added: “I’m really proud of our team at The Vines. Having only been open for three years, this is a great achievement, and we look forward to continuing to make delicious, seasonal menus that celebrate the locality”

The new restaurant award winners and rosette holders will feature in the 2025 AA Restaurant Guide.

With this new accolade, The Vines has also launched its autumn menu, featuring dishes such as Dover sole, The Vines beef wellington for two and lavender and honey glazed wild duck breast.

Head chef Harri Williams said: “We always aim to source ingredients within the UK island and as local as possible, keeping products that are in season on the menu.

"We’re particularly proud of our Welsh beef and lamb; the quality is second to none because of the type of pastures they are raised on. Their diets are high clover and more wild which has a huge effect on the flavour and results we can have from using them within our menus.”

In addition to this success, The Spa at Carden also took home the award for 'Spa Hotel of the Year' at the AA Hospitality Awards.

The other restaurants to be awarded three Rosettes by the AA locally at Arkle at Chester Grosvenor and Next Door in Frodsham.