FOODIES' favourite The Wild Rabbit has been awarded a coveted Michelin star in the latest guide, in what was a successful year for Oxfordshire chefs.

Pubs and restaurants across Oxfordshire have been waiting nervously to see if they would be included in the 2017 edition of the prestigious yearly judgement on the best venues for wining and dining.

The Wild Rabbit in Kingham, West Oxfordshire, was a new addition in the one-star category, indicating high-quality cooking.

Oxford Mail:

The Wild Rabbit

It was another accolade for the pub in Church Street after last year's award of three AA rosettes.

Front-of-house manager Matteo Inzina said: "Everyone at the pub is delighted - we were working towards this but did not think we would be so lucky.

"Our chef Tim Allen joined us from Launceston Place in Kensington about a year ago and he has got a great reputation - people come to us especially to try his food.

"He has been on Masterchef as a host and has his own followers.

"I have been working with Tim for four years - every dish Tim creates is always surprising and always very good.

"When the guests ask what is the best dish on the menu it's difficult to answer because they are all good.

"With us and The Kingham Plough, which is just down the road, Kingham is a great destination for foodies."

Main courses on the menu include hay baked celeriac, £20, sole, £24, turbot £27, Wootton Estate lamb £25, and Wootton Estate Mallard £24.

The 10oz rib eye steak cooked over charcoal is £30, while the 12oz sirloin on the bone is £32.

The pub is owned by Lady Carole Bamford.

Raymond Blanc's Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons retained its two Michelin stars, indicating excellent cooking.

Following the announcement M Blanc tweeted: "The great news is that @lemanoir is still amongst the best inGB & retains its 2**@MichelinGuideUK. Bravo to the team."

In July Le Manoir was named food hotel of the year at an awards ceremony.

The restaurant picked up the gong at the inaugural Hoteliers' Hotel Award hosted by magazine The Caterer on Wednesday night.

Mr Blanc's hotel and restaurant was selected as the winner by a panel of leading hoteliers and experts including hotel inspectors.

The Nut Tree Inn at Murcott near Bicester has kept its one star rating.

In Oxford, Oli's Thai and the Magdalen Arms retain their Bib Gourmand rating, among the inspectors' favourite establishments providing good quality, good value cooking.

It was a good year for pubs and restaurants in the county as none of the establishments have had their awards taken away.