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Leith's Notting Hill Wins First Star, Exposes Bullying

5/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

After the Michelin Guide editor called Dame Prue Leith, a review led Leith's restaurant—opened in Notting Hill in 1969—to earn a Michelin star the next year, its first in 25 years.
Leith said the incident revealed kitchen bullying, citing a middle-class worker who quit after three weeks.
She also recounted a Savoy Hotel manager refusing to hire women chefs, claiming they interfered "at a certain time of the month."

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Story summary

After the Michelin Guide editor called Dame Prue Leith, a review led Leith's restaurant—opened in Notting Hill in 1969—to earn a Michelin star the next year, its first in 25 years.
Leith said the incident revealed kitchen bullying, citing a middle-class worker who quit after three weeks.
She also recounted a Savoy Hotel manager refusing to hire women chefs, claiming they interfered "at a certain time of the month."