TENTH birthday celebrations for The Raby Hunt restaurant have been made all the sweeter after it retained its two Michelin stars this week.

The venue, at Summerhouse near Darlington, is the only restaurant in the region to hold two stars and one of only 23 two-star restaurants in the country.

It celebrated its tenth year in business last week and celebrations were boosted with the launch of the The Michelin Guide 2020 which once again rated the Raby Hunt highly.

Run by self-taught chef, James Close, the venue was also recently named the 13th best restaurant in the country by The Good Food Guide.

Mr Close said: “Every chef wants a Michelin star. And to have managed to retain our two stars for the third year running is absolutely wonderful.

“It is one thing earning two stars and quite another keeping them.

“My team and I have to be at the top of our game every single day and this accolade is proof that I have one of the best teams in the business.

“Getting The Raby Hunt to this standard – and keeping it there – is an immense pleasure and privilege and I’d like to thank everyone at the restaurant and all our customers, too.

“They are the ultimate judges – if it wasn’t for them the restaurant wouldn’t be celebrating its 10th birthday, let alone its two stars.”

Mr Close’s innovative 15-course tasting menu prides itself on using seasonal ingredients, presented in a theatrical and visually appealing fashion.