Exeter chef Michael is the best in the UK

Michael Caines' restaurant at Gidleigh Park, Chagford, in Devon is the home of the UK’s best cooking.

That was the verdict of the Sunday Times which yesterday published its ‘Food List’ – the top 100 UK restaurants for food.

It is yet another feather in the cap for Michael, who studied at Exeter College.

Among those congratulating him yesterday were his former mentor Raymond Blanc.

He wrote on twitter: "Warmest congratulations to Michael Caines for being number 1. The top award for a brilliant chef, gentleman and friend."

The Williams F1 Team wrote: "A big congratulations to team ambassador Michael Caines for clinching another 1st in the 2013 Sunday Times Food List."

And Exeter-born Michael tweeted: "The last four years we have been placed 1st, 3rd, 2nd and now 1st again in the Sunday Times Food list. Awesome. Well done team, I'm so chuffed!"

And just look at the competition Michael and his team beat:

1 Gidleigh Park, Chagford
2 Andrew Fairlie, Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder
3 Yorke Arms, Ramsgill-in-Nidderdale
4 Restaurant Nathan Outlaw, The St Enodoc Hotel, Rock
5 Restaurant Martin Wishart, Edinburgh
6 Fraiche, Oxton
7 Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, Great Milton
8 The Ledbury, London W11
9 L’Enclume, Cartmel
10 Restaurant Sat Bains, Nottingham
11 The Kitchin, Edinburgh
12 The Fat Duck, Bray
13 Mr Underhill’s, Ludlow
14 Waterside Inn, Bray
15 Le Gavroche, London W1
16 One-O-One, Sheraton Park Tower, London SW1
17 Pied à Terre, London W1
18 Midsummer House, Cambridge
19 Drakes, Ripley
20 Hambleton Hall, Hambleton
21 Viajante, London E2
22 The Square, London W1
23 Pétrus, London SW1
24 HKK, London EC2
25 Rasoi, London SW3
26 The Latymer, Pennyhill Park Hotel, Bagshot
27 Simon Radley, The Chester Grosvenor, Chester
28 Simpsons, Birmingham
29 Hakkasan, London W1
30 The Shiori, London W2
31 Sushi Tetsu, London EC1
32 The Pass Restaurant, South Lodge Hotel, Horsham
33 Nobu Berkeley, London W1
34 Texture, London W1
35 Bubbledogs, Kitchen Table, London W1
36 Yashin, London W8
37 Roka, London W1
38 Zuma, London SW7
39 Tom Aikens, London SW3
40 Chez Bruce, London SW17
41 Read’s, Faversham
42 The Greenhouse, London W1
43 Winteringham Fields, Winteringham
44 Northcote, Langho
45 Dinings, London W1
46 Murano, London W1
47 The River Café, London W6
48 Marcus Wareing, The Berkeley, London SW1
49 Seafood Restaurant, Padstow
50 Dinner, Mandarin Oriental, London SW1
51 Assaggi, London W2
52 Story, London SE1
53 Hélène Darroze, The Connaught Hotel, London W1
54 The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, Marlborough
55 Bath Priory Hotel, Bath
56 Purnells, Birmingham
57 Lumière, Cheltenham
58 Wheelers Oyster Bar, Whitstable
59 Paul Ainsworth at Number 6, Padstow
60 La Petite Maison, London W1
61 The Five Fields, London SW3
62 The Peat Inn, Cupar
63 Umu, London W1
64 Le Champignon Sauvage, Cheltenham
65 Morston Hall, Morston
66 Holbeck Ghyll, Windermere
67 Great House, Lavenham
68 The French Restaurant, Midland Hotel, Manchester
69 The Castle Terrace, Edinburgh
70 Gauthier Soho, London W1
71 L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, London WC2
72 Seven Park Place, London SW1
73 Amaya, London SW1
74 Artichoke, Amersham
75 L’Ortolan, Shinfield
76 Gingerman, Brighton
77 Pollen Street Social, London W1
78 The Sportsman, Whitstable
79 Roux at the Landau, The Langham, London W1
80 Hunan, London SW1
81 Outlaw's Seafood and Grill, The Capital Hotel, London SW3
82 Trinity, London SW4
83 Freemasons at Wiswell, Wiswell
84 Koffmann’s, The Berkeley, London SW1
85 The French Horn, Sonning-on-Thames
86 Alyn Williams, Westbury Hotel, London W1
87 Yauatcha, London W1
88 The Vanilla Pod, Marlow
89 La Bécasse, Ludlow
90 The Bingham, Richmond
91 Lasan, Birmingham
92 Scott’s, London W1
93 Benares, London W1
94 Sushi-Say, London NW2
95 The Cinnamon Club, London SW1
96 J Sheekey, London WC2
97 The Honours, Edinburgh
98 Chapter One, Locksbottom
99 Ottolenghi, London N1
100 Wiltons, London SW1