Another first is that, Clare Smyth, chef proprietor of Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, has become the first female chef in 15 years to be awarded a perfect 10 by the guide, which contains its ranking of the UK’s top 50 restaurants, published on 8th September.

For the second year running, Simon Rogan’s Cumbrian restaurant, L’Enclume, has achieved the top spot, while at number two is Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck, which has now scored 10 for seven years in a row – longer than any other restaurant since the guide adopted its current scoring system. Restaurant Gordon Ramsay achieved third place with its top score, rising two places from last year.

Commenting on Clare Smyth’s achievement, Elizabeth Carter, consultant editor of the Waitrose Good Food Guide, said: “After a break of a decade, Gordon Ramsay’s Chelsea flagship has once again been awarded a perfect 10.

“Now the domain of Clare Smyth, with support from what is, without doubt, one of the best front-of-house teams in the UK, this most impressive of London’s premier restaurants is back in that elite club. Further congratulations, too, for Smyth is the first female chef to achieve our top score in 15 years.

“With her brilliantly artistic, elegant modern French cooking, she perfectly complements the witty, cerebral Fat Duck and the sensual farm-to-table delights of L’Enclume at the pinnacle of our top 50 list.”

Smyth said: “This is incredible, I’m absolutely overjoyed, we all are. I have personally referenced the Good Food Guide for places to eat for years and value their opinion, as it’s the customers’ opinion. It makes it so much more significant when you know it’s through customer feedback. Like all restaurants we are one big team and my team here is tremendous, so a huge thank you from every one of us.”

Rogan added: “We feel so privileged to be at the number one spot for a second year for L’Enclume. The full 10 rating really is a reflection of all the continued focus and improvements we have been undertaking at L’Enclume every single month. The team just keeps on getting stronger, and we now also have a hugely skilled front-of-house staff who more than match our culinary standards.”

The Good Food Guide’s annual top 50 restaurant ranking, which is now in its 64th year, is highly regarded by chefs and restaurant-goers, with particular attention paid to those chefs and restaurants in the top 10.

Cornish favourite Restaurant Nathan Outlaw takes the number four spot for 2015, followed by Claude Bosi’s Hibiscus, which rose two places from seven to five. Retaining sixth place is Jason Atherton with his flagship restaurant Pollen Street Social, followed by Nottingham’s Restaurant Sat Bains at number seven, and Philip Howard’s The Square at number eight. For the first time David Everitt-Matthias appears in the top 10 with Le Champignon Sauvage taking ninth position, and Brett Graham’s The Ledbury completes the list.

The trio that achieved 10 out of 10 in 1999 were: Nico Ladenis, Chez Nico; Oak Room Marco Pierre White; and Gunn Eriksen, Altnaharrie Inn.

This year’s top 10, with last year’s ranking in brackets, are:

1. L’Enclume, Cumbria – cooking score 10 (1)
2. The Fat Duck, Berkshire – cooking score 10 (2)
3. Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, London – cooking score 10 (5)
4. Restaurant Nathan Outlaw, Cornwall – cooking score 9 (3)
5. Hibiscus, London – cooking score 9 (7)
6. Pollen Street Social, London – cooking score 9 (6)
7. Restaurant Sat Bains, Nottinghamshire – cooking score 9 (4)
8. The Square, London – cooking score 8 (8)
9. Le Champignon Sauvage, Gloucestershire – cooking score 8 (11)
10. The Ledbury, London – cooking score 8 (9)