A humble chef from Newcastle, NSW, has entered the world's highest culinary ranks overnight, receiving three Michelin stars for his London fine-diner The Ledbury in Notting Hill. Australian-born Brett Graham co-owns The Ledbury, which reopened in 2022 following a two-year closure. Prior to closing in 2020, The Ledbury had held two Michelin stars since 2012.
The news came as a surprise to the Aussie chef, who accepted the honour at the 2024 Michelin Guide ceremony for Great Britain and Ireland, held in Manchester overnight.
Speaking to British news outlet The Standard, he said: "Tonight we won't get much sleep, I don't think. We'll have to draw straws [to decide] who runs the service tomorrow."
Graham first opened The Ledbury in 2005 and went on to receive global acclaim, ranking as high as #10 on The World's 50 Best Restaurant List in 2014. But while The Ledbury propelled Graham onto the global culinary stage, he was already known as a rising star in Australia, where he spent three years working at Sydney's acclaimed Banc, and won the coveted Josephine Pignolet Young Chef of the Year Award in 2003.
The Ledbury wasn't the only London restaurant awarded; 14 London restaurants gained stars as the Michelin Guide revealed its winners for 2024. Ten restaurants won their first stars, while three won two stars. The Ledbury was the only new entrant to the elusive three-star club, becoming one of just six London restaurants to currently hold three stars.
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay retained its three stars to remain in the club, under the direction of another Australian chef Matt Abe, who took over as chef-patron in 2020, following Clare Smyth's departure. The restaurant has held three stars since 2001.
See the full list of winners of the 2024 Michelin Guide ceremony Great Britain and Ireland here.
