AN ACCLAIMED Summertown restaurant has climbed the culinary hierarchy to secure an additional AA rosette.

The Oxford Kitchen in Banbury Road now boasts three rosettes, which are awarded to restaurants and hotels in recognition of excellence.

Executive chef Paul Welburn said: "There is a real buzz at The Oxford Kitchen right now, and I couldn’t be happier to be leading the team.

"I'm so proud of us all for achieving the three AA rosettes, and we have so many exciting plans coming up."

The ceremony took place in central London on Monday night, where Mr Welburn received the award.

The restaurant previously held two AA rosettes but is now one of five in Oxfordshire to have three.

Just 10 per cent of UK restaurants and hotels with an AA Rosette have three or more - the maximum being five.

The Oxford Kitchen is set to launch a new tasting menu on October 4, featuring a variety of game dishes.

Mr Welburn said: "I am a huge fan of game and enjoy taking my time to meet with our trusted suppliers and carefully plan the menus around the freshest and highest quality game I can find."

Defining the three rosette criteria, the AA's website states: "[These are] outstanding restaurants that achieve standards that demand national recognition well beyond their local area.

"Cooking will be underpinned by the selection and sympathetic treatment of the highest quality ingredients."

It adds that flavour combinations and timing must be 'consistently excellent'.