Skof

As we bid farewell to 2023, I am filled with gratitude for the year we've had. Marking the first year in our third decade as an independent restaurant group, 2023 has been nothing short of extraordinary, so I wanted to share some highlights with you.

Cartmel on the World Stage
L'Enclume, our flagship restaurant in Cartmel, has achieved global acclaim this year. It has proudly retained three Michelin stars, was named the joint #1 restaurant in the world by La Liste, secured the highest British restaurant position in the OAD Top 100 European Restaurants, retained our position as the #1 restaurant in The Good Food Guide, and recently, took the top spot in the Harden's UK Guide 2024. These accolades are a testament to our team's relentless pursuit of excellence, and I am so happy that L'Enclume brings such joy to so many people.

Global Collaborations
From our five-week-long L'Enclume residency at Bathers' Pavilion in Sydney, a pop-up at the Fullerton Bay Hotel in Singapore to Red Bull Hangar-7 in Austria, we've enjoyed bringing the core of what we do in Cartmel to incredible places worldwide. We hosted a sustainability-focused dinner at Roganic Hong Kong with some of the best chefs in Asia, including LG Han from Restaurant Labyrinth, Richie Lin from MUME, and Jordy Navarra from Toyo Eatery. We were fortunate enough to cook with the brilliant Heiko Nieder as part of The Epicure 2023 at The Dolder Grand in Zurich and partnered with sustainability champion Michihiro Haruta from Crony in Japan at Roganic. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made it exceptional.

International Openings
The launch of both ION Harbour in Malta and Aulis Phuket this year has broadened our horizons, allowing us to explore new ingredients and techniques and form partnerships with farmers and producers who share our ethos. I find working in new climates enriching and very exciting, and I can't wait to see how this develops and comes together in the years to come.

A New Look in London
Aulis London, our London chef's table, had a major refurbishment, which reflects the dynamic and ever-evolving experience that we are so well known for in the capital. I hope you enjoy our new, bigger space as much as I do.

Expanding Horizons
We are proud to be working with Tom Barnes on the launch of his debut restaurant, Skof, in Manchester. After 12 years working together in The Lakes, our former executive chef embarks on a new journey in a new city. Be sure to follow Tom and his new restaurant @skof_manchester.

The Core Of It All
In the Cartmel Valley, we launched the "A Day at Our Farm" dining experience, which has been an incredible success. Our Farm is ever-growing, and our bountiful produce has allowed us to expand our range of Home by Simon Rogan pantry items. We've also collaborated with Fell Brewery to create a Woodruff Stout inspired by summer on the farm. I love it!

Looking Ahead
I cannot wait to spend more time with my incredible teams in 2024, form deeper connections with all the wonderful new friends that we've made this year, and further explore our farm-to-table ethos worldwide. I am excited to be able to show the world our definition of British gastronomy and change the perceptions of what our small island can achieve.

Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy 2024.

See you soon,

Simon Rogan, Chef/Owner Umbel Restaurants