Pea Porridge restaurant, in Bury St Edmunds, celebrates 10th birthday and retains prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand
Bury St Edmunds’ Pea Porridge restaurant has retained its coveted Michelin Bib Gourmand award for the ninth year, at the same time as celebrating its 10th birthday.
The Cannon Street restaurant is one of only 132 across the UK to be granted the restaurant guide’s accolade for establishments offering good food at reasonable prices.
It is the only restaurant in Suffolk with the award.
Meanwhile, at the weekend the restaurant quietly celebrated its 10th birthday.
Head chef Justin Sharp, who owns Pea Porridge with his wife Jurga, said: “Some days, I think it seems like yesterday that we opened. Then you take stock and think about all the meals you have cooked over the 10 years. A lot of people have passed through the doors.
“I have worked every single service since we opened – if I’m not here, we’re closed – and we have welcomed or cooked for everybody who’s come through the doors. It has been a pleasure and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.
“It has been a fantastic 10 years and we couldn’t have achieved much more.”
He said he wanted to say a ‘huge thank you’ to Pea Porridge’s customers who had supported the restaurant since it started.
On holding on to the Bib for the ninth time, Justin said it was ‘excellent’ because the award represented price and quality.
“With rising food costs, it becomes more and more pleasing the more times we achieve the accolade,” said Justin.
“The Michelin Guide is seen as the culinary bible. Every chef wants to be in it and keeps their fingers crossed every year, so to have done that for nine years is incredible.”
Bib Gourmand is named after the Michelin Man’s proper name Bibendum. Restaurants with the award must offer a three-course menu under £30.
Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides, said: “Bib Gourmands are not just about value for money – the pricing must go hand-in-hand with quality cooking.
“Our readers are looking for ways to spend their money wisely and our Bib Gourmands promise a good meal at a great price.
“Our Michelin Bib Gourmand may be less famous than our Michelin stars but this distinction has a big following among. Chefs are proud to be able to offer great food at affordable prices and are striving.”
