The Angel at Hetton, the charming restaurant with rooms nestled in the Yorkshire Dales, has been presented with five AA rosettes from the AA Restaurant Guide 2025, the guidebook’s highest accolade for restaurants at the very pinnacle, and where cooking is comparable with the best in the world.
Owner Michael Wignall received the honour in front of an audience of industry peers at the influential guidebook’s annual hospitality awards at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel on Monday 23rd September. This remarkable achievement not only underscores The Angel’s commitment to culinary excellence, but also distinguishes it as the first and only restaurant in Yorkshire to receive this coveted award.
Since 2018, under the visionary leadership of chef patron Michael Wignall and his wife Johanna, The Angel at Hetton has transformed into a beacon of culinary artistry. Known as the UK’s original gastropub, this historic 15th-century inn has continually pushed the boundaries of gastronomy while maintaining its warm and welcoming atmosphere. It has held a Michelin star since 2019 and was named number two in the country in the Top 100 National Restaurant Awards in 2021.
Commenting on the award of five AA rosettes, Michael Wignall, the driving force behind The Angel, said: “Being awarded five AA rosettes is an incredible honour for us. This award is testament to the dedication, passion, and hard work displayed by our entire team. It signifies recognition of our relentless pursuit of culinary excellence and innovation, and, for me, personally, it validates our commitment to delivering exceptional dining experiences to our guests. We are immensely proud and grateful for this achievement, and it inspires us to continue pushing the boundaries of what we can offer at our beloved restaurant with rooms.”
Simon Numphud, managing director of AA Media, added: “It has been fantastic for the AA to follow Michael’s cooking across his entire career. He is one of our most talented British chefs who has been cooking at the highest level for so long. It comes as no surprise that 5 years after opening The Angel, Michael has for third time achieved the ultimate cooking accolade of 5 AA Rosettes.”