In a remarkable achievement for Somerset’s dining scene, Briar at Number One Bruton, led by Sam Lomas, has been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand – just four months after opening.
The accolade, which highlights restaurants offering exceptional food at great value, is a testament to Briar’s commitment to simple, seasonal, and impeccably sourced farm-to-fork dining.
Lomas, a former River Cottage chef and Great British Menu alumni, has brought his passion for ingredient-led, hyper-seasonal cooking to Somerset with the launch of his debut restaurant, Briar.
His passion is evident, crafting a menu that celebrates the best of Somerset’s produce in an approachable and beautifully executed way.
Of Briar, Michelin Guide commented: “It’s the kind of place that warms your heart, run with a genuine friendliness and enthusiasm that’s mirrored by the bright, fresh cooking that can’t help but put a smile on your face.”
This recognition follows an already impressive run for Briar, with the restaurant shortlisted for both “Chef to Watch” and “New Restaurant of the Year” in the Good Food Guide Awards this month and the restaurant has also been included in Squaremeal’s Top 100, further cementing its status as one of the UK’s hottest new openings.
Sam Lomas, reflecting on the achievement, said:
“At Briar, we focus on letting incredible ingredients speak for themselves, working closely with local farms and suppliers to create dishes that feel both comforting and exciting. We’re over the moon to have been awarded a Bib Gourmand in this year’s Michelin Guide announcement. A Bib Gourmand represents ‘good quality, good value cooking,’ and it’s a joy to have met those criteria in such a short time. We always envisioned Briar as a place where you could pop in for a glass of wine and a couple of plates just as easily as you could come for a big celebration. It’s incredibly rewarding to have that recognised. Huge credit goes to our wonderful team, both in the restaurant and to Claudia and Aled at Number One for believing and supporting my vision for Briar. And of course, to all our guests for their continued support.”
Owners of Number One Bruton, Claudia Waddams and Aled Rees, who partnered Lomas to establish a new in-house restaurant at the hotel when Michelin-starred Osip moved to its new home last year, expressed their pride in the achievement:
“We are thrilled that Sam has been recognised with a Bib Gourmand for Briar. It is so well deserved. Sam is tenacious, driven, and has an innate understanding of hospitality and abundance, which he expresses through the tasty and innovative food that he creates. We are proud to be his partners. Congratulations to Sam and his young team, who succeed in making a meal at Briar a joyful and satisfying experience.”
