HEAD chef Chris Meredith is over the moon with his Michelin star. But the restaurant now benefiting from his culinary expertise is not the one he was working at when the inspector called.

Not long after the world-renowned 2005 Michelin guide went to press in November last year, and completely unaware he had been honoured in it, Mr Meredith, 30, took over the kitchen at Gilpin Lodge Country House Hotel at Crook.

Although the Michelin star he earned stays with The Samling at Windermere in recognition of Mr Meredith and the kitchen team's efforts during 2004, Gilpin Lodge can now boast a Michelin-starred chef for its 60-cover restaurant.

"We were absolutely delighted when Chris came to us," said director Barney Cunliffe. "He is such an intelligent chef, not arrogant, and he so cares about his team."

So much so that Mr Meredith said former Kendal College students Matthew Bostock, Gemma Osborne, Chris Mullion and Jason Birkbeck, a former National Young Chef of the Year, deserved credit for their contribution to the Michelin accolade, as did the Samling's former restaurant manager and sommelier Graham Hedley.

"They all helped towards this honour," said Mr Meredith, who lives at Levens, and can count Michael's Nook, Aubergine and Heathcote's among his culinary credits.

Mr Meredith has already devised a new menu for Gilpin Lodge although it does not yet include his signature dish, braised pig's head.

Meanwhile, The Samling is now in search of a chef to maintain the standard set by Mr Meredith.

General manager Nigel Parkin said: "Receiving our first Michelin star is such an honour. Chris was fantastic. It's just a pity he's not here to enjoy it."

Meanwhile, the awards keep coming thick and fast for Hutton Roof bed and breakfast owner Janet Rutherford.

Hot on the heels of five diamonds' and a gold award from the English Tourism Council, Janet has scooped a Bib Hotel' award ("good accommodation at moderate prices") in the 2005 Michelin guide to Great Britain and Ireland. Not bad, considering she only opened Pickle Farm to paying guests three years ago.

Janet looks after the B&B and Pickle Farm's self-catering cottages while husband David has a business restoring sports cars.

Unaware she had earned an accolade in the new Michelin guide until the Gazette rang her with the good news, Janet was delighted by her success.

"I just want to give our guests the best possible experience," she said, "the sort of things I like when I go away."