A SELF-taught chef has revealed the secret of his success after his restaurant was named among Britain's 30 best, just weeks after retaining its Michelin star rating.

James Close, head chef at Raby Hunt, in Summerhouse, Darlington, said hard work and a combination of good service and fine food had helped secure the latest accolade in The Sunday Times 100 Top Restaurants.

The guide is based on 70,000 reviews from more than 6,000 consumers.

The restaurant's £80 nine-course tasting menu includes dishes such as razor clams with morel mushrooms, celeriac and brown shrimps; deer ragu and loin with elderberry; and quail, with Japanese seasoning miso, carrot and offal.

Mr Close, 35, said: “It’s a great achievement as we are the first restaurant in the North-East to make the top 100.

“I was born and bred in the North-East so it feels really special to be recognised, and hopefully it gives some of the other fantastic chefs in the region hope that they can be recognised too.”

Mr Close, who began his food industry career aged 27, added: “Now we just have to keep up the high standard and continue to do what is working so well for us.”

Two North Yorkshire restaurants secured places in the top 100 list.

Samuel’s at Swinton Park Hotel & Spa, near Masham, where executive chef Simon Crannage specialises in game, is a newcomer to the list.

The Yorke Arms, in Nidderdale, whose head chef, Frances Atkins, remains one of only a handful of female chefs to feature in the top 100, retained its accolade.