Raby Hunt in Darlington has, as expected, lost both Michelin stars after its closure.

Two Michelin-starred chef James Close made the decision to close his restaurant and join Rockliffe Hall in County Durham.

The Raby Hunt’s last service was on January 27.

Mr Close revealed he had contacted the Michelin guide to confirm he had handed back his stars and asked to be taken out of the latest guide.

A spokesperson for the Michelin Guide Results 2024 said: "Some restaurants lost their stars, though many were due to closure or relocation, including Michel Roux's two-Michelin-starred Le Gavroche, which shut its doors in January after fifty-six years, The Clock House, The Raby Hunt, Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley, Eipic, Pensons, SY23, The Man Behind The Curtain, Aimsir, Restaurant Fraiche (which has recently relocated) and Carters of Moseley, which is currently moving site."

The full list can be found online but we have pulled together all the Michelin starred restaurants in our patch:

  • The Black Swan, Oldstead, North Yorkshire
  • House of Tides, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear
  • Shaun Rankin of Grantley Hall, Ripon, North Yorkshire
  • Roots, York, North Yorkshire
  • Solstice, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear
  • Restaurant Myse, Hovingham, North Yorkshire

Mr Close was the first chef in the North East to be awarded two Michelin stars.

It was also placed fourth in The Good Food Guide’s Top 20 Most Exciting UK Restaurants of 2022.

Mr Close previously said: "To join Rockliffe Hall as Culinary Director is an incredible opportunity and the perfect progression to take everything we have developed and achieved at the Raby Hunt to the next level.

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"I’m always striving to do better and I’m looking forward to being part of an ambitious team that wants to lead the way in the culinary hotel space and modernise what a luxury country hotel offers its guests across gastronomy, service, and experiences.   

"I’m very thankful to all the people who have believed in us and been involved in our journey so far – repeat diners, guests travelling from further afield, chefs, suppliers, and Michelin, which has played a big part in my career – and we look forward to our continued relationship with all of them."

You can read the full list of Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK by clicking here.