Daniel Clifford from Midsummer House is the new Chefs' Chef and Clare Smyth and Tom Kitchin receive five rosettes in the AA Restaurant Guide 2016.

The announcement of the new ratings was made at the AA Hospitality Awards on October 5, held at Grovesnor House on Park Lane; alongside 24 other awards which recognised those in the industry.

This year Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and The Kitchin received prestigious five rosettes and eight more including Simon Rogan's Fera at Claridges recieved four rosettes.

The ever popular Chefs' Chef of the Year Award was proudly received by Daniel Clifford who said: "I don't know what to say! This is the biggest award that you are ever going to win because it's voted for by all the people you respect.

"The problem is you never grow up, you are always in that chef de partie mindset so when you look at the list of past winners; Heston, Marco, Gordon - I just don't know what to say!"

Clare Smyth from three Michelin-starred Restaurant Gordon Ramsay said: "It's fantastic for such an established restaurant to still be receiving new accolades; it's not just for me it's for the whole team and it's a fantastic endorsement that says we are doing the right thing. It just shows you never know when you are going to get recognition."

>>> Read: Gordon Ramsay and Clare Smyth announce new venture

The AA Restaurant of the Year in England was received by House of Tides; the London winner was Tredwell's and Coast Restaurant took the title for Wales, and The Gannet for Scotland.

Chef owner of House of Tides, Kenny Atkinson, who last month won his first Michelin star with his first solo restaurant said: "I'm shocked, gobsmacked and emotional. We've had such an amazing year, thanks to an amazing team and all we wanted was a nice restaurant in Newcastle."

Other awards included Hotel of the Year in England, won by Clivedon Hotel and the winning hotel in London was the Corinthea; they were joined by Scotland's winner, Ruffets Country House Hotel and the winner for Wales, St George's Hotel.

The evening saw 8 new four-AA-rosettes awarded these were -  The Burlington Restaurant at The Devonshire Arms, Ynyshir Hotel, Stovell's, Restaurant Nathan Outlaw, Flynn Williams at Westbury Hotel, Fera at Claridges, The Ledbury and Fraiche.

Nathan Outlaw from Restaurant Nathan Outlaw said: "It's great to get four rosettes, especially with the move from Rock to Port Isaac - that was always a risk. It's down to the hard work of the team keeping everything consistent - now let's push on and get five!"

Winner of this year's AA Lifetime Achievement Award was Hotel Du Vin's Robert Hutson. He has focused on developing Home Grown Hotels and created The PIG chain, a relaxed country house concept based around kitchen garden produce. The PIG in the forest opened with much critical acclaim and it was clear to see that he had created yet another ground-breaking hotel with broad consumer appeal and universal praise from his industry peers. Two more PIGS have followed in quick succession – The PIG on the Beach  and The PIG near Bath with a fourth site in Devon recently been acquired.  

He said: "It's been 40 years since I started at Claridges restaurant and I found a job I love. I'm a firm believer in if you focus on the people and the product then the profit will follow. This award is not down to a single person, it's not a solo performance it's a joint effort!"

The Results AA Hotel of the Year

Winner, England – Cliveden, Taplow

Winner, Wales  – St George’s Hotel, Llandudno

Winner, Scotland  – Rufflets Country House, St Andrews

Winner, London  – Corinthia Hotel, London

Winner, Northern Ireland – Galgorm Resort and Spa, Ballymena

AA Restaurant of the Year

Winner, England – House of Tides, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Winner, Wales – Coast Restaurant, Saundersfoot

Winner, Scotland – The Gannet, Glasgow

Winner, London – Tredwell’s London

AA Wine Award

Winner, England and Overall – The Sun Inn, Dedham

Winner, Wales – Walnut Tree, Abergavenny

Winner, Scotland – Ubiquitous Chip, Glasgow

AA Pub of the Year

Winner, England – The Porch House, Stow-on-the-Wold

Winner, Wales – Kinmel Arms, Abergele

Winner, Scotland – The Scran and Scallie, Edinburgh

AA Hotel Group of the Year 

Winner – Brend Hotels

AA Eco Hotel and Eco Hotel Group of the Year

Winner, Eco Hotel – The Savoy, London

Winner, Eco Hotel Group – Exclusive Hotels and Venues

AA Food Service Award

Winner – Belmond Le Manoir aux Quats’ Saisons

AA Housekeeper of the Year Award

Winner – Sarah Middlemas – The Old Course Hotel, St Andrews

AA Spirit Award 

Winner – The Churchill Bar and Terrace, London