Heston Blumenthal's The Fat Duck has won the coveted award of Best Restaurant in the World 2005 according to a survey by Restaurant Magazine announced today. Fourteen English restaurants feature on the list of 50, which is voted for by a panel of over 600 chefs and restaurateurs around the world.

The picturesque waterside village of Bray in Berkshire can now claim to be England's gourmet capital outside of London as it is where two of the restaurants on the list are located, including the Best Restaurant in the World, The Fat Duck. The three Michelin-starred Waterside Inn is also on the list at number 19. Visitors can even sleep under the Michelin stars in Bray as it offers overnight accommodation in eight guestrooms with old-world charm and river views.

London has been described as the gourmet capital of the world and was recently named 'the best place to eat on the planet' by US-based Gourmet magazine. With 11 restaurants in the top 50 including Gordon Ramsey, St John and Hakkasan, the capital has fulfilled its mission to attract the best chefs in the world.

Outside of London and its surroundings, there is much to discover in England's regions. Recent VisitBritain research showed that food and drink is now a key driver for short breaks and day trips in England. Consumers are increasingly interested in regional specialities and the quality of restaurants and hospitality has improved immeasurably in recent years.

For more inspiration for gourmet English breaks send off for a free copy of the Taste England brochure, which includes information on local producers and recommendations of places to dine, as well as tips and advice from a selection of celebrity chefs and the odd recipe or two. For your free copy call 0845 330 3663 (dial FOOD) or visit www.visitengland.com/taste

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For further information please contact:

Tess Sullivan / Paul Gauger VisitBritain Press Office

Tel: 020 8563 3378 / 020 8563 3351/020 8563 3207 Email: tess.Sullivan@visitbritain.org/ paul.gauger@visitbritain.org

For further details on the World's 50 best Restaurants 2005, contact:

Sarah Canet Telephone: 020 7610 9821 Mobile: 07780 911630 Email: sarah@sarahcanet.com

Notes to editors:

VisitBritain produces a monthly electronic newsletter for UK media entitled AngloFILE. To register for, or to view previous editions go to www.visitengland.com/presscentre

UK Restaurants in the Top 50, 2005

Angela Hartnett at The Connaught, 16 Carlos Place, London W1K 2AL, England. +44 (0)20 7499 7070 www.the-connaught.co.uk

The Fat Duck, High Street, Bray, Berks SL6 2AQ, England. +44 (0) 1628 580 333 www.fatduck.co.uk

The Gallery at Sketch, 9 Conduit Street, London W1S 2XG, England. +44 (0)870 777 4488 www.sketch.uk.com

Le Gavroche, 43 Upper Brook Street, London W1K 7QR, England. +44 (0)20 7408 0881 www.le-gavroche.co.uk

Gordon Ramsay, 68 Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HP, England. +44 (0)20 7352 4441 www.gordonramsay.com

Hakkasan, 8 Hanway Place, London W1T 1HF, England. +44 (0)20 7927 7000

The Ivy, 1 West Street, London WC2H 9NQ, England. +44 (0)20 7836 4751 www.caprice-holdings.co.uk

St John, 26 St John Street, London EC1M 4AY, England. +44 (0)20 7251 0848 www.stjohnrestaurant.co.uk

Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, Church Road, Great Milton, Oxon OX44 7PD, England. +44 (0)1844 278881 www.lemanoir.com

Nobu, Metropolitan Hotel, 19 Old Park Lane, London W1Y 4LB, England. +44 (0)20 7447 4747 www.noburestaurants.com

Tom Aikens, 43 Elystan Street, London SW3 3NT, England. +44 (0)20 7584 2003 www.tomaikens.co.uk

The Waterside Inn, Ferry Road, Bray, Berks SL6 2AT, England. +44 (0)1628 620691 www.waterside-inn.co.uk

The Wolseley, 160 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EB, England +44 (0)20 7499 6996 www.thewolseley.com

Yauatcha, 15 Broadwick Street, London W1F 0DL, England. +44 (0)20 7494 8888