Lumiere, Cheltenham's intimate and imaginative Michelin-starred restaurant, has firmly established itself as one of the UK's best and most exciting culinary destinations, and not only for its exceptional food and the personal service it delivers, but for its outstanding commitment to sustainability, deep respect for seasonal ingredients, and dedication to championing the next generation of hospitality talent.
Founded in 2009 by husband-and-wife team Jon and Helen Howe, Lumiere is a true labour of love, built from the ground up.
The couple are always present when the restaurant is open, ensuring every guest receives a warm welcome and an exceptional dining experience. Their shared vision, sixteen years in the making, has transformed a self-funded dream into one of the highest-rated one-Michelin-starred restaurants in the country.
Chef-owner Jon Howe has cooked in Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury hotels, and acclaimed gastropubs, and competed in both national and international culinary competitions, culminating in being selected to represent the UK as a member of the prestigious British Culinary Team. He says he “always knew” he wanted to be a chef.
Helen Howe is Lumiere's Maitre D' and General Manager, bringing more than two decades of hospitality experience to the restaurant, having begun waitressing aged 15, as well as spending ten years as a biomedical scientist for the NHS.
As well as leading front-of-house, Helen is passionate about championing women in the hospitality industry, and is also the force behind Lumiere's flourishing kitchen garden: a 3.5-acre site that began life as a lockdown project to amuse her niece and nephew and has since become a key part of Lumiere's identity.
From no-dig beds and a polytunnel to a small orchard, beehives, worm farms and wildflower banks, the garden provides an abundance of fresh and seasonal produce used in the restaurant within hours of harvest. Lumiere also utilises a cutting-edge EvoGrow unit, allowing the team to cultivate microgreens, edible flowers year-round, while germinating rare and heritage seed varieties.
Lumiere's modern British tasting menus are available as four or six courses at lunch, and six or eight courses in the evening. With a constantly evolving hyper-seasonal approach, guests can expect dishes that honour the land, the people who farm it, and the stories behind every ingredient.
Among the restaurant's most celebrated creations is its signature Meadowland Smoked Eel, served on spiralled and roasted Red Desire potatoes grown in the garden, topped with fresh apple from the orchard, homegrown sea vegetables and a generous spoon of Osetra caviar.
The Tequila Slammer is a showstopper of a palate cleanser, consisting of a gold tequila sorbet orb, crisp salt shard, and a shot of lime, finished with a plume of lime-scented smoke. Meanwhile, the Damson Souffle, made with fruit from Helen's family garden, and served with yoghurt and almond milk sorbet, has become a firm favourite amongst customers.
In 2024, Lumiere retained its Michelin Star, received a fourth AA Rosette, and was awarded three stars from the Sustainable Restaurant Association – the highest rating, given only to restarants who can demonstrate authentic, evidence-based action across every area of their business. Lumiere was also honoured with two Circles by the 360° Eat Guide, an international benchmark that evaluates restaurants based on sourcing, environment, community and employee wellbeing.
Sustainability runs deep at Lumiere, from growing their own produce and reducing waste, to championing a four-day working week, prioritising staff welfare, and supporting the wider community through mentoring, charity work, and collaboration with local suppliers.
The restaurant is currently ranked 9th in Harden's Top 100 Restaurants in the UK, sitting rightfully alongside culinary giants like Le Manoir, Opheem, and The Ledbury – a recognition hard-won through years of passion, consistency and self-funded perseverance.
All of this makes Lumiere not only one of the highest-rated 1 Michelin Star restaurants in the country, but arguable the UK's best-kept fine-dining secret.
But for Jon and Helen, Lumiere is about more than accolades. They are both deeply passionate about supporting the future of the industry. Most recently, Jon mentored 15-year-old apprentice Lexie Colley into second place at the Springboard FutureChef Awards, where she beat more than 18,000 young chefs to land a spot in the prestigious finals at Westminster College.
“We're immensely proud of Lexie and her journey,” said Jon. “Supporting young people into hospitality is a responsibility that we take seriously, and its vital that experienced chefs step up to nurture and celebrate the next generation of talent.”
Helen added: “People come to Lumiere for delicious food and thoughtful service, but also for a sense of care. We want every guest to feel like they've arrived at a dinner party hosted by close friends. Whether we're sharing produce that we've grown ourselves or opening doors for future chefs, everything we do is grounded in the same values which are respect, hospitality and heart.”
With a small but passionate team, many of whom are still in school or college, Lumiere's culture of excellence, inclusivity, and mentorship extends from garden to plate and beyond. Looking ahead, Jon and Helen are focused on further expanding their sustainability credentials, and driving forward conversations around equality and female representation in hospitality.
As Cheltenham emerges as one of the UK's most exciting food scenes, Lumiere stands out as a destination worth travelling for, where every plate tells a story, and every visit leaves a mark.
To book your table and experience Lumiere's Michelin-Starred flavours for yourself, visit https://lumiererestaurant.co.uk
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