DINING out in Craven reached a new high this week with news that the Devonshire Arms Hotel at Bolton Abbey has become the first restaurant in the district to be awarded a Michelin star.

The hotel's Burlington Restaurant met the stringent criteria set by the Michelin Red Guide inspectors, joining the ranks of Britain and Ireland's most prestigious restaurants.

Managing director Jeremy Rata said the award was a tribute to the skills of head chef Michael Wignall, 35, who has been at the hotel just 10 months.

"I think this validates all that we are trying to achieve here," said Mr Rata. "He (Michael) has done it through sheer hard work and commitment to the job. It is just a great boost for us all.

"Michelin's Red Guide is the authority in its field with nearly 6,000 listings and it places The Devonshire's Burlington Restaurant in the top 110.

"We are all delighted that Michael Wignall and his team have been recognised with this well deserved award. It goes hand in hand with all that we have achieved throughout the hotel and all the staff are to be congratulated for their hard work and professionalism."

Based on the Bolton Abbey Estate, the Devonshire Arms has been in the Duke of Devonshire's family since 1753. A delighted Duke and Duchess called in personally to congratulate the staff.

Their son, Marquess of Hartington, who is chairman of the hotel's board of directors, said: "We are delighted for the whole team at The Devonshire Arms and particularly for Michael Wignall. It has been an ambition of ours to gain Michelin star recognition.

"We will continue to raise our standards to ever higher levels in order to meet and exceed the expectations of all our customers."

Michael himself is no stranger to the accolade, having held a Michelin star for nine years. He first achieved the award aged just 26 and has maintained it at four restaurants - Paul Heathcotes at Longridge, The Old Beams in Waterhouses, Cliveden at Berkshire and Michaels Nook, at Grasmere.

Michael's reputation as one of the finest chefs in the country brought him to the attention of the Devonshire Hotel and he was approached to work there after Michaels Nook closed.

Independent inspectors from the Michelin guide visited the Burlington Restaurant during his first four months in charge of the kitchens.

"The inspectors will visit two or three times and will announce themselves on one of those occasions after the meal," said Michael, who trained at Preston College. "The one star awards concentrate on the food, which has to be of the highest quality."

Michael has a couple of signature dishes, but his menu changes daily. "It was difficult at first, because being based in Yorkshire people expected a bigger plate, but this is changing," he said.

Michael's menus use game and fish from the Bolton Abbey Estate while the kitchen gardens provide plentiful vegetables, herbs and salad leaves during the summer months.

The Michelin guide also recognises the hotel's vast wine selection, which includes 60 house wines and a collection of rare wines.

The hotel is now working towards its second Michelin star, for which it will have to meet wider criteria.

With that in mind the Burlington Restaurant, managed by Sarah Evans, is undergoing refurbishment, including the introduction of antique polished tables.

Guests are being accommodated in the private dining rooms while the work is carried out, with the new-look restaurant due to open on March 11.

Under the same ownership is the Devonshire Fell Hotel and Restaurant at Burnsall which has been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand for the third year running, presented to restaurants that offer excellent food at under £25 a head.

The Angel at Hetton also has a Bib Gourmand while the Yorke Arms, just outside Craven at Pateley Bridge, has been awarded one Michelin star.