St. John (restaurant) facts for kids
St. JOHN is a famous English restaurant located on St John Street in Smithfield, London. It first opened its doors in October 1994. The restaurant was started by Trevor Gulliver, Fergus Henderson, and Jon Spiteri. It is in a building that used to be a place for smoking bacon.
Under the guidance of head chef Fergus Henderson, St. JOHN became known for a special way of cooking called "nose to tail eating." This means they use almost every part of an animal, including cuts of meat that other restaurants might not use. This helps to avoid waste and uses traditional British recipes.
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About "Nose to Tail" Eating
"Nose to tail eating" is a cooking style that focuses on using all parts of an animal. This includes parts like offal, which are the internal organs, and other less common cuts of meat. The idea is to be respectful of the animal and to use everything possible. This method helps to reduce food waste.
Special Dishes You Might Find
At St. JOHN, you might find unique dishes that use these less common parts. Some examples include:
- Pigs' ears
- Ducks' hearts
- Trotters (pigs' feet)
- Pigs' tails
- Bone marrow
- Sometimes, when it's the right season, even squirrel
Because of its unique approach, St. JOHN is very popular with people who love food. This includes chefs, food writers, and serious food lovers.
Awards and Recognition
St. JOHN has won many important awards and honors over the years.
- In 2001, it won "Best British" and "Best overall London Restaurant" at the Moet & Chandon Restaurant Awards.
- It has often been listed among the Top 50 restaurants in the world by Restaurant magazine.
- In 2011, it was ranked 41st, moving up from 43rd in 2010.
What is a Michelin Star?
St. JOHN was given a Michelin star in 2009. A Michelin star is a very special award given to restaurants that offer excellent food. It is a sign of high quality and great cooking. The St. JOHN Hotel also received a Michelin star in September 2012.
Other St. JOHN Places
Over time, the original St. JOHN restaurant in Smithfield grew.
- In 2003, a smaller, more casual sister restaurant opened. It also has a bakery. This place is called St. JOHN Bread and Wine and is in the Spitalfields area of London.
- In 2011, a hotel opened near Leicester Square.
- However, since 2013, the hotel is no longer connected to the St. JOHN restaurants.
