Newly-opened Upstairs by Tom Shepherd awarded Michelin Star  

Upstairs by Tom Shepherd has been awarded a Michelin Star by the Michelin Guide UK and Ireland after trading for only four months. 

The restaurant, which opened its doors in October, serves contemporary dishes from a first-floor restaurant in Lichfield, Staffordshire.

Shepherd’s dishes are based on a modern take of classical cooking, utilising seasonal British ingredients, with “subtle hints” of Asia. The flagship tasting menu of seven courses includes dishes like Orkney Scallop, Salsa Verde, Apple, Dashi and Highland Venison, Sausage, Black Garlic, Jerusalem Artichoke and a signature Thai Green Curry ‘transition’ course.

The 28-cover restaurant features a decorated staircase that leads to an upstairs dining room, which features “cosy, comfortable” banquettes to create an “intimate feel”. The bar showcases local beers, wines and spirits, and a central chef’s table is available for diners who want to experience the kitchen team’s cooking first-hand. 

Shepherd said: “I’m absolutely elated that we’ve been awarded a Michelin star, especially given we’ve only been in operation for four months. In addition, being the first ever Michelin Starred restaurant in Staffordshire only adds to the enormity of the achievement.”

Shepherd has experience heading up kitchens at some of the best restaurants in the UK, and most recently worked at Adam’s restaurant in Birmingham, where he successfully retained the restaurant’s Michelin star and three AA rosettes during his time as head chef. 

His previous experience includes time spent as a development chef at the two-Michelin-starred Restaurant Sat Bains, as well as two-Michelin-starred The Latymer, under Michael Wignall, and The Samling.