It’s a huge day for the Gourmet Capital.

Kinsale’s Bastion restaurant has been awarded its first Michelin star at The Hurlingham Club in Fulham this afternoon.

Owned by Helen Noonan and chef patron Paul McDonald, the 50-seater eatery on the junction of Market Street and Main Street has held a Michelin Bib Gourmand since 2016.

While it’s rare for a Bib Gourmand (awarded to restaurants serving ‘exceptionally good food at moderate prices”) to scoop a star, Bastion is now an exception, bringing the first coveted Michelin award back to the seaside town, already famous for its incredible selection of restaurants.

Paul McDonald, a Scot living in Ireland, has really developed this charming restaurant with Helen over recent years & his pared back cooking reveals his reverence for his local ingredients.
All his hard work has paid off #MICHELINSTAR20 @BastionKinsale #Ireland#MICHELINguideGBI pic.twitter.com/ApQbZuPwrF

— The MICHELIN Guide (@MichelinGuideUK) October 7, 2019

— The MICHELIN Guide (@MichelinGuideUK) October 7, 2019

Speaking at the grand unveiling of this year’s guide, chef and owner Paul McDonald said he’s inspired by books and food writers and enjoys working with one of his favourite ingredients, lamb.

The Michelin inspectors applauded Scottish chef Paul McDonald for his pared back cooking and use of local ingredients.