The staff at two of Oxfordshire's leading restaurants are on cloud nine today after the award of coveted honours in the new edition of the Michelin Guide.

Mark Maguire, of Chavignol, in Chipping Norton, said he and his staff "danced around in the kitchen to celebrate" after earning a star rating in the gourmets' bible.

And a jubilant Philip Baker, of Baker's, in Eynsham, said the award of the guide's 'Bib Gourmand' was the best thing that had happened for him and his partner Amanda since the birth of their daughter last summer.

He added: "I was so excited I stayed up until three in the morning trying to let in sink in.

"Earlier, I phoned Mark at Chipping Norton to offer my congratulations to him, and we had a bit of a celebration on the telephone."

Mr Maguire and his wife, Donna, are used to such honours, having previously enjoyed a one-star rating, earned by chef Gus Ashenford, at their previous restaurant, Lovells, at Minster Lovell.

Now in Chipping Norton, and with Mr Ashenford as a full partner in the business, they are delighted to have retained the accolade.

Mr Maguire said: "We started from scratch only a year ago, and to have gained a star so quickly speaks volumes for Gus's skills."

Denoting "good food at moderate prices", the Bib Gourmand has also been awarded to Le Petit Blanc, Raymond Blanc's bistro in Walton Street, Oxford, placing it in a category shared by only nine other restaurants in England.

Two Oxfordshire pubs - The Boot, at Barnard Gate, near Witney, and The Crazy Bear and Ragged Staff, at Stadhampton - join a newly-created elite in the guide with a red beer glass and fork symbol - denoting "particularly pleasant" pubs - which go to only 13 places.

The Beetle and Wedge, at Moulsford, and The Leatherne Bottel, at Goring, are honoured as "particularly pleasant" restaurants. Other restaurants honoured include Gee's and the newly-opened Shimla Pinks, in Oxford; Sir Charles Napier, in Chinnor; Morel's, in Chipping Norton; the Plough at Clanfield; Dexter's, in Deddington; the Angel, in Long Crendon; the Fish, in Sutton Courtenay; and the Old Trout, in Thame.

Recommended pubs include the Goose, at Britwell Salome; the Bull, Charlbury; the Mole and Chicken, at Easington, near Long Crendon; the Falkland Arms, Great Tew; the Talkhouse, Stanton St John; and the Mason Arms, South Leigh.

Story date: Monday 01 February

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.