by Chris Price

All four of Kent’s Michelin-Starred restaurants have maintained their standing in the 2010 guide, but there are also a couple of new entries to the diners’ bible.

Maintaining their position in the guide with one Michelin star each, are The Sportsman at Seasalter near Whitstable, The West house in Biddenden, Apicius in Cranbrook and Read’s at Faversham.

Age and Sons in Ramsgate has been added to a different section of the guide, the Bib Gourmand 2010 list, which recognises restaurants serving good food at moderate prices. It joins The Granville in Lower Hardes near Canterbury and The Swan in West Malling, which recently appeared on Channel 4’s The F Word programme.

Also new to the guide is The Marquis in Alkham near Dover, which has joined the list of Rising Stars in the 2010 book. It used to be known as the Marquis of Granby.

Editor of the 2010 guide Derek Bulmer said: "Last year was clearly a difficult year for hotels and restaurants but those establishments who reacted by being more flexible and creative appear to be riding the storm. Value for money has also been an important factor and we have awarded 28 new Bib Gourmand awards, for 'good food at moderate prices' which reflects this.

"Chefs have had to be more resourceful and restaurants have had to adapt to changing eating habits. Some have even introduced ‘credit crunch’ menus to help fight the recession. Long-established restaurants have proved to be resilient but we have also seen plenty of new openings.

"There is now a greater geographical spread of starred restaurants and the inspectors will continue to seek out establishments serving particularly good food, wherever they are situated.

"As we head into this new decade, the hotel and restaurant industry appears to be leaner and fitter. Greater emphasis is being placed on satisfying customers’ needs; diversity continues to be one of the UK’s greater strengths and the public’s interest in chefs, food and cooking shows no sign of abating."

The Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2010 will be available in bookshops from Wednesday, January 20, for £15.99.