First Michelin star 'is incredible feeling'

A chef says it feels "incredible" for his restaurant to be awarded its first Michelin star.

The Boat in Lichfield, Staffordshire, was given the industry accolade at a ceremony on Monday in Dublin.

Stars are awarded annually to establishments that offer outstanding food, with hundreds of starred restaurants in this year's The Michelin Guide.

Liam Dillon, who runs the Lichfield site, said: "I still haven't come back down to earth to be honest, it's quite a surreal experience."

The chef worked at top eateries in London, Sydney, Copenhagen and New York, before returning to his home city to open up nine years ago.

"To bring a star to The Boat in Lichfield where I grew up…the feeling's incredible," he said.

The restaurant offers a tasting menu and has its own micro-farm on site, that keeps pigs, chickens and bees.

Dillon said he was keen to make his "labour of love" business as sustainable as possible.

"It's a long journey, it takes time; as long as we're improving all the time then I shall be content," he said.

"I couldn't do it without the team I've got and it's a fantastic achievement for everyone involved."

The Boat is the second Lichfield restaurant to have been awarded a Michelin star, with Upstairs by Tom Shepherd keeping its star for another year.

The Wilderness, in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, was also recognised with a star for the first time on Monday.

Elsewhere in Birmingham, Adam's in the city centre and Simpsons in Edgbaston both kept their stars for 2026-2027, while Indian restaurant Opheem kept its two-star status.

Other restaurants in the region maintaining stars include The Cross in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, and Grace & Savour in Hampton in Arden, near Solihull.

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.