The Staff Canteen review of the year 2016: July to December

With the new year creeping up on us (where has this year gone!) we take a look back over the past 12 months and the most talked about stories in the hospitality industry.

Our most popular stories from July to December include features with multiple Great British Menu contestants, the big winners at this year's first live Michelin Guide event in the UK and where past MasterChef: The Professionals winners are now.

1. Mark Abbott, Head Chef, Midsummer House

Topping the July to December review of the year is our interview with Mark Abbott. He has worked for big names such as Michael Dean, Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles and Paul Kitching at 21212, and is now currently head chef at Daniel Clifford’s Midsummer House. He talked to us about how his new is going and what it’s like working with Daniel.

>>> Read the full article here

2. Michelin Guide UK 2017: The full list including deletions

Second on the list is the full Michelin guide 2017. With no new additions to the three-star list last year leaving many disappointed, all eyes were on this year’s guide to see if anyone had gained the coveted award. We revealed that Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck had reclaimed the prestigious 3-star award and Raby Hunt in County Durham bagged an impressive 2 stars.

>>> Read the full article here

3. Three stars for the Fat Duck plus two stars for Raby Hunt in the Michelin Guide UK 2017

Next up is the exciting news of the release of the Michelin guide 2017. The guide has previously been voted the most useful guide by users on our site so many were waiting with baited breath to see if any restaurants had been awarded the sought after three Michelin star award. Other special awards were also given for the first time including the Michelin Female Chef Award and the Michelin Welcome and Service Award.

>>> Read the article here

4. AA Restaurant Guide Rosettes❀ Vs. Michelin Guide Stars*- The Big Difference Blog by Frank Davie

Coming in at number 4 is a blog from chef and resident blogger, Frank Davie. In this particular post Frank takes a closer look at the diffrence between the AA Restaurant Guide and the Michelin Guide and how the two sought after accolades work when choosing which restaurants should be bestowed the distinction.

>>> Read the

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6. Mark Froydenlund, head chef, Marcus, The Berkeley

Narrowly missing out on the top 5 is our interview with one of our heroes of the hotplate, Mark Froydenlund. Mark is head chef at Marcus Wareing’s ‘Marcus’ restaurant. The restaurant has been open for ten years and in that time has gained a remarkable two Michelin stars and 5 Rosettes from the AA Restaurant Guide. Mark spoke to us about his journey as a chef and his ascent to head chef.

Mark Froydenlund

>>> Read the full article here

7. 8 Skills That Make You A Chef by Chris Hill

Sitting pretty at number 7 is another blog from Chris Hill. For this blog he lists the vital skills that differentiate great cooks from great chefs. The ex-businessman explains that there are many different variables that can impact how smoothly a kitchen runs. In order to maintain a harmonious kitchen a chef has to be able to juggle all of these variables at the same time as producing impeccable food.

>>> Read the blog here

8. MasterChef: The Professionals winners - where are they now?

In the run up to the new series of MasterChef: The Professionals 2016 we took at look at past winners and what happened to them post MasterChef. In this piece we found out that original winner, Derek Johnstone worked for the Roux family for several years, 2013 runner up, Adam Handling now owns the very successful, The Frog at E1 and last year's winner, Mark Stinchcombe someday wants to have his own Michelin star.

MasterChef: The Professionals

>>> Read the full article here

9. Claude Bosi to close Hibiscus

Just making the top 10 was the surprising news that Claude Bosi decided to close his two Michelin star restaurant, ‘Hibiscus’. After 16 years the chef decided it was time to move on and embark on new projects.

>>> Read the full article here

10. Michelin Guide Kyoto Osaka 2016 and Michelin Guide Nara 2016

Just breaking the top 10 is the unveiling of the Michelin guide Kyoto Osaka 2016 and the Michelin guide Nara 2016. The guides recommend the best restaurants and accommodation in Kyoto, Osaka and Nara. However, to get your hands on the Kyoto Osaka guide, you had to go to Japan as they were only sold there. 11 three star restaurants managed to retain their three-star status in the Kyoto Osaka guide and only one appeared in the Nara guide. The Bib Gourmand winners also appeared in the Nara guide for the first time.

>>> Read the full article here

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