UK Restaurants Celebrated at the 70th Anniversary of the AA Rosette Scheme

The Gunroom’s Three AA Rosettes were announced at a Mayfair ceremony, where head chef Daniel ap Geraint and members of his team accepted the award on stage alongside leading figures from the UK hospitality industry.
Owner Annie Perks said the award involved more than a single successful inspection: the restaurant’s application was reviewed by an AA panel and subjected to extensive scrutiny before the team received the result.
Daniel ap Geraint has led The Gunroom’s kitchen since 2018, while the wider kitchen team includes pastry specialist Cosmin Scarlet, Aled Jones and Kane Williams; Williams previously helped The Barn at Moor Hall earn its first Michelin star.
The AA Restaurant Guide describes The Gunroom’s setting as an intimate dining room in the former home of Lord Snowdon and highlights dishes using Welsh butter, Anglesey sea salt, Welsh lamb and locally sourced seafood.
The Gunroom Restaurant at Plas Dinas Country House in North Wales has earned three AA Rosettes, Hospitality and Catering News reported. The award recognizes the restaurant's modern British cooking, consistent service, and intimate dining experience. The ceremony in London's Mayfair district marked the 70th anniversary of the AA Rosette scheme.
Twenty-one UK restaurants received major recognitions at the 2026 AA Hospitality Awards. London TV noted that six restaurants, including London's Ikoyi and Hide, were promoted to four rosettes. No restaurant earned a new five-rosette rating this year.
The Gunroom's three rosettes add to recent honors for Plas Dinas. The hotel won Best Hotel in Wales in the Good Hotel Guide's 2026 César Awards, Hospitality and Catering News reported. It also earned AA Restaurant with Rooms of the Year for Wales in 2025. Head chef Daniel ap Geraint and his team accepted the award on stage at the Mayfair ceremony.
Owner Annie Perks explained that earning rosettes requires more than one successful inspection. The AA's panel reviewed the restaurant's application and subjected it to extensive scrutiny before announcing results. This rigorous process ensures only the finest establishments receive the honor.
London's Ikoyi, Hide, and Fox in Kent were promoted to four AA Rosettes. London TV also highlighted Frog by Adam Handling, Inver, LI~LY, and Cocochine as newly promoted restaurants. The promotions reflect exceptional achievements in food quality and dining experience across the UK.
Fifteen additional restaurants earned three rosettes in 2026. The Gunroom joined this group of honored establishments. Hospitality and Catering News noted this represents recognition of consistency and excellence across a growing number of UK dining destinations.
Daniel ap Geraint has led The Gunroom's kitchen since 2018. His team includes pastry specialist Cosmin Scarlet, Aled Jones, and Kane Williams. Williams previously helped The Barn at Moor Hall earn its first Michelin star, bringing proven expertise to the operation.
The AA Restaurant Guide highlights The Gunroom's use of premium Welsh ingredients. Dishes feature Welsh butter, Anglesey sea salt, Welsh lamb, and locally sourced seafood. The intimate dining room sits in the former home of Lord Snowdon, creating a distinctive atmosphere for guests.
The 2026 AA Hospitality Awards marked seven decades of the AA Rosette scheme. London TV reported that the ceremony recognized excellence across hotels, restaurants, spas, inns, and bed-and-breakfasts. The annual awards highlight the finest hospitality experiences in Britain.
No restaurant achieved a five-rosette rating in 2026. The scheme's top tier remains extremely selective, with only the most outstanding establishments reaching this pinnacle. The recognition of 21 restaurants at three and four rosette levels demonstrates strong quality across UK hospitality.
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