2:01PM, Sat Dec 1, 2012

From The Fish Quay To Your Dinner Plate: Michelin Award For Restaurant

By India Adams Location: North Shields

Video: The River Cafe North Shields receives Michelin accolade

Top chef David Kennedy’s newest restaurant has received a prestigious Michelin Award.

The River Café on North Shields Fish Quay opened just 12 months ago and is one of only two North East restaurants to be awarded the coveted Bib Gourmand.

The newly established eatery specialises in seafood, landed from the very boats diners can watch plying their trade just yards along the Fish Quay.

It will appear alongside Terry Laybourne’s Broad Chare in Newcastle in the new Michelin Guide 2013- details of which were accidentally leaked early ahead of the food Bible's official launch on October 5 2012.

The two restaurants are among only 22 new Bib Gourmand’s awarded across England.

Bib Gourmand’s are awarded to establishments that serve good food at a moderate price.

Since opening in September 2011, David Kennedy’s River Café has won many plaudits for its special credit crunch menu running alongside the a la carte, which offers three seasonal and locally sourced courses for just £4.95.

Restaurant owner David Kennedy said: “The team at River Café were shocked but thrilled with the news.

“It’s a fantastic accolade and an incredible first birthday present for River Café to receive a Bib Gourmand. It is a great achievement for the whole team.

“We have always known that River Café is special, and this award is, quite literally, the icing on our birthday cake.

“It shows the hard work, commitment, dedication and consistency shown by everyone involved with River Café has really paid off.

“It’s a really big pat on the back for an incredible team who deserve every bit of acclaim that comes their way.

“But I have always said a chef is only as good as the ingredients he has to work with, so praise is also due to our wonderful suppliers who day in and day out come up trumps, and inspire the River Café kitchen team headed up by the talented John Wiegmann, to achieve great things.”

River Café is a sister restaurant to the award-winning David Kennedy’s Food Social at the Biscuit Factory commercial art gallery in Newcastle.

Situated above the Quay Taphouse in Bell Street on North Shields Fish Quay, it has just undergone a major refurbishment to coincide with its first birthday.

River Café is run by David in partnership with Paul Scott, who he first worked with when they were employed by renowned North East chef Terry Laybourne, and Michelle Dickie, formerly the bar manager at the Magnesia Bank in North Shields.

Paul said: “It is every restaurateur and chefs dream to be recognised by Michelin, but for that to happen after just 12 months is phenomenal.

“Our strength is in keeping things simple and using seasonal ingredients wherever possible. It’s been a very pleasing first year.”