*Photograph: John Mangan
DOOLIN restaurant Homestead Cottage has been awarded its first Michelin Star โ just seven months after opening its doors.
Established late last June, the accolade marks a remarkable rise for the husband-and-wife team of Robbie and Sophie McCauley, who received an astonishing 400 bookings within a day of receiving their award.
Robbie explained that Homestead Cottage received an invite to the prestigious award ceremony in recent weeks which preceded โa few sleepless nightsโ for the Scottish-born chef.
On Monday the unique eatery – which prides itself on using local ingredients – was announced as one of just three Irish restaurants to become new recipients of the much-coveted award.
โWeโre still coming down โฆ itโs been fantastic,โ Robbie told The Clare Echo. โTo get it so quickly made it more of a surprise and weโre delighted to everyone.โ
Some 400 bookings came in on Tuesday following the remarkable win, from destinations including South Africa, Barbados and the UK. โWeโre lucky where we are, weโre the closest restaurant to the Cliffs of Moher so to be able to have a restaurant and serving the kind of food weโre doing so close to an international attraction is helpful.โ
Robbie admits he has plans to bring his team to London โto say thank youโ to his staff as they celebrate the award together.
โItโs a massive award and I feel very lucky to have been awarded it,โ said Robbie. โIโve been cooking for 17-18 years, I worked in Michelin star restaurants before but to actually do it for ourselves is huge. Weโre only able to do it thanks to the fantastic produce and at the end of the day itโs a team achievement.โ
Michelin Guide inspectors described Homestead Cottage as โsurely the most rural of the newly anointed Starsโ.
โHomestead Cottage in Doolin is a thoroughly charming place. Its setting inside a former crofterโs cottage provides plenty of character, and dishes are often brought to the table by Robbie and his fellow chefs with palpable pride. Garden produce and local ingredients like Aran monkfish are used in cooking that demonstrates refinement, precision and a great understanding of balance.โ
Homestead Cottage joins Wild Honey Inn in County Clareโs Michelin star ranks and Robbie hopes the win will encourage more tourism for the Banner County.