THE owners of a restaurant are celebrating after landing another accolade.

The Breda Murphy Restaurant and Delicatessen in Station Road, Whalley, has been awarded its first AA Rosette.

AA Rosettes are awarded solely by AA hotel and restaurant inspectors with no influence from hotels, restaurants or other guides.

The scheme is long established and recognises cooking at differing levels nationwide.

The accolade recognises the quality of the daytime eatery at Breda Murphy.

Since it opened in 2006, it has served food inspired by modern British and Irish cuisine and created by Breda Murphy and head chef Gareth Bevan.

The building underwent a major refurbishment this year, creating more dining space, a private dining area and Reilly’s Gin Bar.

Breda Murphy’s husband, Guy Purves, said the AA inspector’s visit was unannounced and unexpected.

Mr Purves said: “We were inspected a couple of weeks ago.

“He came up to pay and immediately announced that we were winning a first rosette.

“We have been open over 10 years and it is the first time we have been on the AA’s radar.”

Mr Purves said he was unsure whether the rosette was Breda Murphy’s highest accolade, given that it features in The Good Food, Michelin and Harden’s guides.

The latest honour builds on the venue’s decade of success, which has also seen it win critical acclaim from national food writers.

Breda Murphy grew up on her parents’ small farm in Ireland’s County Carlow with four siblings,

She adored helping her mother - a professional cook - prepare fresh, homemade dishes and her impressive career started at the famous Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland, where she graduated and became the academy’s youngest teacher.

After spells in top kitchens in London and Ireland, she took over as award-winning head chef at the Inn at Whitewell.

During her time there, the inn gained several awards, including Harden’s Top UK Restaurant, Les Routier Hotel of the Year, Egon Ronay Pub of the Year.

In 2001, she set up a catering business, also producing preserves for the Booths supermarket chain.

The venue offers breakfast, lunch, evening and Sunday menus and also stages private events.