Just eight months on from proudly adding his considerably experience to a Dunmow restaurant’s already prestigious name, Tim Allen has achieved what many have only dreamed of in Essex.

If he seems a tad surprised at the speed it has happened, he is also honest about his hopes and ethos for the historic Flitch of Bacon.

He had already achieved Michelin stars at the Wild Rabbit in Kingham and Whatley Manor in the Cotswolds.

Now the Flitch of Bacon has scored the prestigious accolade.

But Tim is no less thrilled, that’s for sure.

“It is a great restaurant and a really lovely team here so I couldn’t be happier,” he said.

“But to be honest with you, all I have done is cook food I like, the way I like it.

“We take every day as it comes and look after everyone as best we can and always want to give them the best experience they expect from going to a restaurant.

“Then they go away and tell their friends and they also come back themselves.”

Originally from Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, Tim has honed his considerable skills across the country including at his award-laden previous establishments and in Oxford and Reading.

But, he explains, this Rosette is even more special and it is the first “with my name above the door”.

He became chef partner in February and runs the business with silent partner Daniel Clifford.

Tim added: “We had been friends for many years and I was looking for an opportunity and had actually been headed for somewhere in Manchester but then that fell through and the chance to take over the Flitch of Bacon was offered to me and I could really see the potential there, it already had a very good reputation.”

Manchester’s loss is Essex’s gain and Tim arrived, gave the premises a spruce-up and introduced his combination of exquisite food and excellent service.

The Flitch of Bacon is named after a historic tale intertwined with Dunmow heritage which tells of a bet made with the price a side of pork to any couple who could prove they did not argue during their first year of marriage.

It has four rooms for overnight stays and different menu options.

As well as the a la carte there is a bar menu, lunch menu and Sunday lunch.

Diners can choose from two options for each course on a specially devised lunch menu, which features such mouth-watering creations as an autumn salad with whipped curd and honey, Great Garnetts pork tenderloin with pureed carrots, black pudding, smoked sausage and apple and lime and maple cheesecake.

The bar menu also allows a more relaxed option, to pop in and eat.

“Some customers still want to come and have fish and chips and the bar menu gives them that option,” Tim said.

“That is a simple and classic menu. If you live in the village you may pop in more so you are not always going to be wanting the full on a la carte menu.”

His approach to his food is to go for seasonal, high quality products.

“You kind of work out what to cook from what’s available and Essex has got a great larder, particularly north Essex,” he said. “There is also a booming food scene.”

Since February they have seen the restaurant experience evolve, with the introduction of guest chef nights, a wine club for diners and establishing itself as the go to place to for traditional Sunday lunches.

Tim has also recently launched At Home with Tim Allen, a genuine Michelin starred dining experience in the comfort of your home which sees him bring his culinary skills along with hand picked wines and carefully selected cocktails to lucky diners’ homes.

Already popular, the restaurant has understandably seen bookings go through the roof since the news broke of its newly Michelin-starred status. Tim explains there are no weekends available for some time and the weeks are filling up fast.

“It is not a large restaurant, about 42 covers, and so in the long run I would like to extend it, that would be a long-term plan,” he said.

“Christmas is already very popular too, we have almost filled up and that is with having second tier sittings.”

But if you fancy having your festive celebration at the restaurant, you better act fast - the secret is out about just how good it is there.

For more information, visit www.flitchofbacon.co.uk