The Boat restaurant in Lichfield achieved its first Michelin Star at the world-renowned Michelin Guide ceremony on Monday 9th February.
Liam Dillon is a top-notch chef and the man behind the award-winning The Boat restaurant and micro-farm in Lichfield, which sits within urban surroundings and near the Staffordshire canalside. Since Liam opened the restaurant in 2017, it has only gone from strength to strength – and it has now achieved the incredible feat of a prestigious Michelin Star.
Of course, this well-deserved achievement hasn’t come without a lot of hard work.
The Boat may have once looked like a roadside pub, but the eatery and its garden have seen a relentless amount of renovation and reinvention to transform it into the modern and innovative destination it is today, inviting customers to come together to enjoy Michelin-Star-worthy fine-dining.
Liam – who has worked at premium kitchens in London, Sydney, Copenhagen, and New York, and featured on BBC’s Great British Menu – brings world-class expertise, creativity, and meticulous attention to detail. This is highly evident in everything he does, which he blends with a commitment to sustainability and micro-farming.
As such, The Boat grows its own vegetables; it farms its own trout, the bi-product of which is used to feed and grow crops; it has 24 hens which supply an abundance of eggs on a daily basis, and they feed on any trimmings; it has its own pigs, Betty and Peggy, who help reduce waste; and it has its own bees, who pollinate the garden while providing an exclusive honey that is praised by Michelin.
At The Boat, Liam crafts each dish by taking inspiration from the current season, combining fresh ingredients and creative flair for a truly tantalising fine-dining experience. Whether attending for lunch, dinner, or Sunday lunch, customers know they are in for a real treat, with dishes including Staffordshire venison, fried chicken with Oscietra caviar, and Amalfi lemon parfait.
Lichfield has truly been put on the map for its culinary offerings, with Liam Dillon being the second chef to achieve a Michelin Star in Staffordshire, four years after Tom Shepherd and his restaurant, Upstairs.
The Boat is open Thursday to Saturday 6:30pm-9pm, Friday to Saturday 12:30pm-2pm, and for Sunday lunch 12:20pm-4:30pm. For more information about the restaurant, visit the website, Instagram, or Facebook page. To book a table, please visit www.exploretock.com/the-boat, call 01543 361692, or email dine@theboat.restaurant.
Liam also co-hosts a show with Ruth Redgate on Lichfield Radio, FOODIE FREQUENCY – Tune in on Fridays at 7.15pm or listen back to previous episodes. The duo talk seasonal produce with The Boat and Two Pigs updates, themed shows, and answering listener questions.
Ruth said: “I can’t wait to congratulate Liam in person when he’s next in the studio and get the backstage low down from the Michelin Awards.”
Wonderful news for Liam Dillon and The Boat Restaurant! It’s fantastic to see such dedication to using local produce and creating “modern British food with nods to his homeland” being recognised with a Michelin Star. This is truly well-deserved and a huge achievement for the Midlands culinary scene.