Peak restaurant named one of best in the country

Almanac, in Glossop, has ranked ninth on the Good Food Guide's 100 Best Local Restaurants 2026 list – and this comes hot on the heels of being awarded a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide 2026

And this is just the latest accolade for self-taught chef and restaurateur Luke Payne, the man behind Almanac.

The recognition follows the news that The Pack Horse Hayfield was awarded No. 10 in the inaugural 100 Best Pubs in Britain list, also published by the Good Food Guide, cementing Payne's reputation for creating exceptional dining destinations across the Peak District.

The Bib Gourmand distinction is awarded by Michelin to restaurants offering "good food at a great price", recognising exceptional cooking and value. Almanac joins an elite group of establishments across the UK and Ireland to receive the accolade in the 2026 guide, adding to a growing list of achievements for Payne, whose award-winning village pub, The Pack Horse Hayfield, is also featured in the MICHELIN Guide and ranked 19th in the Top 50 Gastropubs Awards 2024.

The recognition marks another milestone in an unconventional hospitality journey. Originally a drama student at university, Payne did not follow a traditional culinary path. Instead, he developed his skills through determination, curiosity and a passion for food, teaching himself to cook while working his way up from a kitchen porter role within a chain pub group.

That self-taught approach has become a defining characteristic of Payne's career. In 2016, he took over The Pack Horse in the Peak District village of Hayfield, transforming the historic pub into one of the region's most respected dining destinations.

Building on the success of The Pack Horse, Payne expanded his portfolio with the launch of Almanac in Glossop. The restaurant quickly established itself as a destination in its own right, earning praise for its seasonal menus, ingredient-led cooking and relaxed approach to hospitality.

Its inclusion as a Bib Gourmand recipient in the MICHELIN Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2026, alongside its top-10 placing in the Good Food Guide's 100 Best Local Restaurants in 2026, reflects Payne's commitment to creating ‘exceptional dining experiences that remain accessible and welcoming’.

Luke Payne said: "To receive a Bib Gourmand for Almanac is an incredible honour and a testament to the hard work of our entire team. From day one, our aim has been to create somewhere that delivers exceptional food and hospitality without formality, and where guests feel comfortable returning again and again. To see both Almanac and The Pack Horse recognised by Michelin and the Good Food Guide is hugely rewarding, and we're incredibly proud that both venues have been acknowledged on a national stage."