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Chef Ben Wilkinson didn't come to The Cottage in the Wood expecting to earn a Michelin star.

A fortnight turned into a permanent position as the person he came to replace at the restaurant tucked away in the depths of the Lake District's forest of Whinlatter never showed up. He eventually stepped up to the head chef position when his predecessor left to found a family.

And a year later, his invitation to the awards ceremony came in the post.

We spoke to the chef about working at a Michelin level within a family-owned restaurant, how he and his team have had to adapt to the constraints of a small kitchen - and how this has allowed them to focus on the essentials.

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