Birmingham - the country's regional culinary capita
Three Birmingham chefs get Michelin stars
No other town or city outside London boasts so many top-ranking restaurants in the 2009 Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Ireland.
The clutch of awards, from the most respected food guide in the world, means thar Birmingham has assumed the title of the country's regional culinary capital.
Kitchen maestro Glynn Purnell picks up a deserved star for Purnell's in Cornwall Street, while Luke Tipping, executive chef at Simpsons and Birmingham's king of consistency, ensured the Edgbaston powerhouse maintains a star for the fifth year running.
Richard Turner, whose restaurant Turners in suburban Harborne is, one of 26 new one-star establishments in this year's guide. Richard said: 'What this proves is that everyone has a misconception about Michelin, that it is poncey. This proves you can open a little restaurant and if you offer good food at a reasonable price and do the things a restaurant is meant to do, then Michelin will reward you.'
Pascal's in Edgbaston, run by Pascal Cluny, maintains its Bib Gourmand for 'good food at moderate prices'.
