Lichfield restaurant bags 3 AA Rosette with award winning Birmingham chef in the kitchen

A restaurant led by an award-winning Birmingham-born chef has received the prestigious 3 AA Rosettes award.

Former head chef at one Michelin starred Adam’s Restaurant in Birmingham, Tom Shepherd won the Acorn Award - which recognises the brightest talent in the UK hospitality industry under 30 years of age - in 2018.

He heads Upstairs by Tom Shepherd in Lichfield and the restaurant was awarded the AA Rosettes award on February 28, 2023. His restaurant is already the recipient of one Michelin star.

In a Facebook post, he said: “We’re absolutely over the moon to have been awarded 3 AA Rosettes from the prestigious AA Hospitality. Thank you so much for rewarding and recognising our hard work and huge congratulations to all other fellow award winners.

“The biggest thank you of all goes to the dedication of our incredible, hardworking team, who we’re immensely proud of for continuing to push our little restaurant forward every day. We’re only just getting stared, here’s to 4!”

The AA Rosette inspector described the restaurant as: “Discover an intimate venue with precision cooking.” The restaurant on Bore Street is on the top floor above his father’s jewellery shop.

Previously, the Michelin Guide said this about the eatery: “The eponymous chef’s dream has always been to open his own restaurant, and this warm, relaxing space above his father’s jewellery shop represents its realisation.

“The locals obviously know a good thing when they see it, since bookings are hard to come by; those who do manage to secure a table choose between a set 5 or 7 course tasting menu of modern British dishes.

“Like the chef himself, the cooking is confident yet restrained. Tom’s experience shines through in the detailed yet unfussy dishes, which are beautifully presented and come with well-thought-through flavour combinations.

“There’s a great value midweek lunch menu, as well as wine flights and plenty of good quality wines by the glass. Perfectly pitched service from a cheerful young team completes this enjoyable dining experience.”