A RESTAURANT is celebrating being awarded a Michelin star after just 12 months in business.

Restaurant Interlude, in Lower Beeding, near Horsham, opened last year but has already been given the honour.

Set in the Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, the restaurant is the second in the country with its own vineyard to have a Michelin star.

Chef Jean Delport is only the second South African chef to win a Michelin Star for his restaurant, and one of the youngest recipients at the age of 31.

In their awarding of the star, the Michelin judges said: “The two surprise tasting menus keep their focus firmly on the local area. Skilfully crafted dishes show good balance in their textures and flavours, and have a creative, original style.”

Adam Streeter, general manager of Restaurant Interlude, said: “It was always our ambition to get a Michelin star but we didn’t imagine it would come this quick.

“Some restaurants wait years to get a star.

“But now that we have it we have to keep it and make sure we keep those high standards.”

The restaurant has ten tables and hosts guests in one sitting.

The tasting menu can comprise of as many as 18 dishes and is described as a “two to three hour dining experience”.

Adam said: “We use ingredients foraged from the Leonardslee estate which is fantastic.

“It’s local and it makes use of seasonal produce, our menu varies throughout the year.

“The local community has been very supportive of us and our clientele comes back because we’re always changing the menu.”