North Yorkshire restaurant wins first Michelin Star in 2026

On Monday evening (February 9), Fifty Two at Rudding Park in Harrogate was revealed among the 20 new one-Michelin Star restaurants.

Fifty Two is an immersive dining experience where its bespoke open kitchen and garden “take centre stage” and the twist is, there is no official menu.

The newly announced Michelin Star restaurant (a first for Harrogate) is designed to “create a sense of food theatre”.

The Michelin Guide commented: “Five repurposed shipping containers in the grounds of the Rudding Park hotel provide the setting for a quite theatrical experience, with Adam Degg’s open kitchen and his chefs acting as the stage and its players.

“The restaurant is named after the number of raised beds in the garden, which provide plenty of the produce for the creative dishes.

“Don’t be fooled by the occasional playfulness – there is real skill on show here.”

Head chef of Fifty Two says winning Michelin Star ‘means the world’

In a post on Instagram, Fifty Two’s head chef and host Adam who has featured on the Great British Menu, shared: “Winning this honestly means the world to us. When we opened, the goal was to create something genuine, fun and rooted in the incredible produce we grow in our kitchen garden. I have to give huge credit to Emma [Pugh] and her garden team, whose work shapes every dish we serve.

“Thank you to my team – Other Adam™, Jess, Callum, Finn & Robbie. This recognition is a reflection of your energy, creativity and belief in what we’re building. I’m also deeply grateful to the Mackaness family for trusting me with this project and giving me the freedom to create my dream restaurant.

“Most importantly, thanks to everyone who walks in, sees no menu, and says ‘go on then.’

“Last night was a highlight of my career – a personal milestone. A reminder of how far we’ve come.

“For those yet to discover… the best parties happen in the kitchen!”

If you’re wondering what to expect when visiting Fifty Two, its website reveals: “An arrival drink will be served on the FIFTY TWO terrace at 7pm with dinner served at 7.15pm (Sundays arrival time will be 6pm with dinner served at 6.15pm). If the weather is suitable, there will be an opportunity to walk around the Kitchen Garden before dinner.

“The evening continues with a series of dishes; a selection of snacks, freshly-baked bread; assortment of plates leading up to the main event, followed by dessert and selection of liqueurs.”

Why are so many UK pubs closing?

It adds: “Like a dinner party with friends, there’s no menu and you place your faith in the cooking skills of your host!

“At FIFTY TWO, we use the highest quality ingredients cultivated in our kitchen garden (as such we are in the hands of mother nature!) or selected from trusted local producers and purveyors.”

Head kitchen gardener Emma Pugh and her team grow over 500 different edible plants.

Fifty Two’s website continues: “Using organic and no-dig principles, the gardeners enrich the soil with a variety of organic matter so the crops are packed with nutrients giving the freshest seasonal flavours and textures on your plate.”

Over on Tripadvisor, the restaurant located on Rudding Lane, which also has 3 AA Rosettes, has an impressive 5/5 rating.

‘For those yet to discover… the best parties happen in the kitchen!’ (Image: Tripadvisor)

A recent diner posted: “A superb gastronomic and fun evening at Fifty Two with great service and stunning surroundings.

“The service is relaxed and fun and good with all chefs Adam, Other Adam and Finley and Jess involved.

“All super friendly and confident yet fun and it all meant we had a great dinning experience with food that was inspirational ,and exceptional.”

Recommended reading:

Another wrote: “Lovely atmosphere, good and informal welcome, excellent food together with a commentary for each course. An interesting touch was asking guests to chose a music track.”

This guest put: “Adam has a wonderful team at fifty two. The food tonight was dazzling. The wine pairing was exceptional.

“The tasting menu was a rollercoaster of excitement honouring garden grown and regional fresh produce.

“My wife and I are honoured your team looked after us so well. Phenomenal food. Phenomenal friendly team. Thankyou.”

Will you be heading to Fifty Two at Rudding Park after its Michelin Star success? Let us know if you have been by leaving a comment below.