TOKYO — President Trump treated his time in Japan on Tuesday as a victory lap — befriending the new Japanese prime minister, taking her with him as he spoke to U.S. troops aboard an aircraft carrier and then unveiling several major energy and technology projects in America to be funded by Japan.
Sanae Takaichi, who became the country’s first female prime minister only days ago, solidified her relationship with Trump while defending her country’s economic interests. She talked baseball, stationed a Ford F-150 truck outside their meeting and greeted Trump with, by his estimation, a firm handshake.
By the end of the day, Trump — by his administration’s count — came close to nailing down the goal of $550 billion in Japanese investment as part of a trade framework. At a dinner for business leaders in Tokyo, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced up to $490 billion in commitments, including $100 billion each for nuclear projects involving Westinghouse and GE Vernova.
“You’re great business people,” Trump told the gathered executives before the dinner. “Our country will not let you down.”
It was not immediately clear how the investments would operate and how they compared with previous plans, but Trump declared a win as he capped off a day of bonding with Takaichi.
Trump and Japanese PM swap warm words
The compliments started as soon as the two leaders met on Tuesday morning. “That’s a very strong handshake,” Trump said to Takaichi.
She talked about watching the third game of the U.S. World Series before the event, and said Japan would give Washington 250 cherry trees and fireworks for July 4 celebrations to honor America’s 250th anniversary next year.
Takaichi emphasized her ties to the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, her archconservative mentor who had forged a friendship with Trump during his first term through their shared interest of golf.
“As a matter of fact, Prime Minister Abe often told me about your dynamic diplomacy,” she said, later gifting Trump a putter used by Abe.
Trump told her it was a “big deal” that she is Japan’s first woman prime minister, and said the U.S. is committed to Japan. While the president is known for not shying away from publicly scolding his foreign counterparts, he had nothing but praise for Takaichi.
“Anything I can do to help Japan, we will be there,” Trump said. “We are an ally at the strongest level.”
Takaichi laid out a charm offensive, serving American beef and rice mixed with Japanese ingredients during a working lunch, where the two leaders also discussed efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Takaichi would be nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.
The two leaders signed black “Japan is Back” baseball caps that resembled Trump’s own red “Make America Great Again” caps.
Reporters arriving for the meeting were hustled past a gold-hued Ford F-150 outside the Akasaka Palace, which is Tokyo’s guest house for visiting foreign leaders.
Trump has often complained that Japan doesn’t buy American vehicles, which are often too wide to be practical on narrow Japanese streets. But the Japanese government is considering buying a fleet of Ford trucks for road and infrastructure inspection.
They vow a ‘golden age’ for alliance and cooperation on critical minerals
Both leaders signed the implementation of an agreement for the “golden age” of their nations’ alliance, a short affirmation of a framework under which the U.S. will tax goods imported from Japan at 15% while Japan creates a $550 billion fund of investments in the U.S.
Later, at a dinner at the U.S. embassy in Tokyo packed with CEOs including Apple’s Tim Cook, Trump reveled in the deals. Trump and Takaichi also signed an agreement to cooperate on critical minerals and rare earths.
Trump has focused his foreign policy toward Asia around tariffs and trade, but on Tuesday he also spoke aboard the USS George Washington, an aircraft carrier docked at an American naval base near Tokyo. The president brought Takaichi with him and she also spoke as Japan plans to increase its military spending.
The president talked about individual units on the aircraft carrier, his political opponents, national security and the U.S. economy, saying that Takaichi had told him that Toyota would be investing $10 billion in auto plants in America.
Trump arrived in Tokyo on Monday, meeting the emperor in a ceremonial visit after a brief trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Trump is scheduled to leave Japan on Wednesday for South Korea, which is hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Trump plans to meet with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
On Thursday, Trump is expected to cap off his Asia trip with a highly anticipated meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. There were signs that tensions between the U.S. and China were cooling off before the planned meeting in South Korea. Top negotiators from each country said a trade deal was coming together, which could prevent a potentially damaging confrontation between the world’s two largest economies.
Boak and Megerian write for the Associated Press. Megerian reported from Seoul, South Korea. Mayuko Ono and Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.
TOKYO — President Trump opened his visit to Japan on Monday with greetings from the emperor a day before he meets new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who is banking on building a friendly personal relationship with the U.S. leader to ease trade tensions.
One key to this strategy might lie in an idea floated by Japan’s government to buy a fleet of Ford F-150 trucks, a meaningful gesture that may also be impractical given the narrow streets in Tokyo and other Japanese cities.
It’s an early diplomatic test for Takaichi, the first woman to lead Japan. She took office only last week, and has a tenuous coalition backing her.
Trump instantly bought into the idea of Ford trucks as he flew to Asia aboard Air Force One.
“She has good taste,” Trump told reporters. “That’s a hot truck.”
Japanese Emperor Naruhito welcomed Trump at the Imperial Palace after the president’s arrival, and the two spoke for about 30 minutes. Trump straightened his jacket as he stood next to Naruhito for photos before the two sat across a round table, with flowers in the middle, for their talks.
“A great man!” he said twice while pointing to the emperor. Trump last saw the emperor in 2019, soon after Naruhito ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne, becoming the first foreign dignitary invited to the palace.
Trump and Takaichi spoke over the phone while the president was mid-flight on Saturday. Takaichi stressed her status as a protege of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a favorite of Trump’s from his first term, and said she praised him for brokering the Gaza ceasefire that led to the return of hostages held by Hamas.
“I thought [Trump] is a very cheerful and fun person,” she said. “He well recognizes me and said he remembers me as a politician whom [former] Prime Minister Abe really cared about,” she said. “And I told the president that I extremely look forward to welcoming him in Tokyo.”
Trump spent Sunday in Malaysia, where he participated in a regional summit, and departed Monday morning for Japan. While on Air Force One on Monday, he said he planned to talk in Tokyo about the “great friendship” between the U.S. and Japan.
Resetting the trade relationship
Beneath the hospitality is the search for a strategy to navigate the increasingly complex trade relationship that Trump shook up earlier this year with tariffs.
Trump wants allies to buy more American goods and also make financial commitments to build factories and energy infrastructure in the U.S.
The meetings in Japan come before Trump’s sit-down with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday in South Korea.
Both the U.S. and Japan have sought to limit China’s manufacturing ambitions, as the emergence of Chinese electric vehicles, artificial intelligence and advanced computer chips could undermine the American and Japanese economies.
“In light of the planned meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping shortly afterward, Trump may also be considering how he might strengthen his hand by demonstrating the robustness of the U.S.-Japan relationship,” said Kristi Govella, Japan chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank.
Japan’s previous administration agreed in September to invest $550 billion in the U.S., which led Trump to trim a threatened 25% tariff on Japanese goods to 15%. But Japan wants the investments to favor Japanese vendors and contractors.
Japan’s economy and trade minister, Ryosei Akazawa, has said his ministry is compiling a list of projects in computer chips and energy to try to meet the investment target.
“As far as I know, I’m hearing that there are a number of Japanese companies that are showing interest,” he told reporters Friday, though he did not give further details.
Ford trucks in Tokyo would be a powerful symbol
Japanese officials are looking at the possibility of buying more American soybeans, liquefied natural gas and autos. The U.S.-China trade conflict has shut American soybeans out of the Chinese market, leading China to seek more Brazilian supply. China reported no U.S. soybean imports in September, a first since November 2018.
For Trump, the prospect of Ford trucks in the skyscrapered streets of Tokyo would be a win. The administration has long complained that American vehicles were being shut out of a market that is the home of Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Isuzu, Mitsubishi and Subaru. In a September interview on CNBC, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Japan wouldn’t buy U.S.-branded vehicles because “Chevys” were popular with Japanese gangsters.
Takaichi may arrange for Ford F-150 trucks to be showcased in a place Trump gets to see them, Japan’s Nikkei newspaper reported. The government is considering importing the trucks for its transport ministry to use for inspecting roads and infrastructure, though there are concerns that the F-150 could cause congestion on narrow Japanese streets.
“We appreciate President Trump’s advocating for American made products,” Ford spokesperson Dave Tovar said. “We would be excited to introduce America’s best-selling truck to work and government customers in Japan.”
Japanese media have reported that Toyota Motor Corp. Chairman Akio Toyoda could announce plans to import his company’s American-made cars back to Japan during a dinner with Trump and other business leaders on Wednesday.
The gestures — combined with Takaichi’s connection to Abe — should help her deal with Trump, who seems predisposed to like her.
“I think she’s going to be great,” Trump said aboard Air Force One. “She’s a great friend of Mr. Abe, who was a great man.”
In 2016, Abe gave Trump a high-end golf club to celebrate his first election, and the leaders bonded over their love of golf. Trump often expresses sadness about Abe’s 2022 assassination.
But there are risks for Takaichi in emphasizing her ties to Abe, said Rintaro Nishimura, who specializes in Japan at the advisory firm The Asia Group.
“Because it’s Takaichi’s first diplomatic engagement I think she wants to start with sort of a bang,” Nishimura said. “Succeeding the Abe-line rhetoric is definitely going to be part of this engagement, although some also suggest that leaning too heavily on the Abe line might not exactly be good for her for creating her own kind of portfolio, her status as Japan’s leader.”
Following his meeting with Takaichi on Tuesday, Trump will give a speech aboard the USS George Washington aircraft carrier anchored in Japan, then hold a dinner with business leaders. Trump plans to leave for South Korea on Wednesday.
But aboard Air Force One on Monday, he told reporters that he was also ready to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, should that be an option.
“If he wants to meet, I’ll be in South Korea,” Trump said.
Boak and Yamaguchi write for the Associated Press. AP writer Chris Megerian contributed to this report from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The best cities for food have been revealed and they are not all in Italy
15:24, 17 Oct 2025Updated 15:31, 17 Oct 2025
The top destination is also the home of Campari(Image: tifonimages via Getty Images)
When it comes to culinary delights, most people’s minds wander to Italy’s pasta, Japan’s sushi or Mexico’s tacos. However, a study by TasteAtlas has revealed the top foodie destinations around the globe.
The team analysed nearly half a million ratings from 17,073 cities in their database. Interestingly, many of the top-rated locations are just a short hop from the UK, with the majority of the top 10 nestled within Europe.
Naples clinched the top spot, thanks to its status as the birthplace of pizza, lasagna and macaroni.
But this stunning city wasn’t the only Italian gem to make the list, reports the Express.
Milan bagged second place, with its famous dishes such as risotto and panettone earning it high marks.
And let’s not forget that Milan is also the home of Campari, perfect for washing down those delicious meals.
Italy dominated the top three, with Bologna securing third place.
This city is renowned for its spaghetti bolognese, ragu and tortellini.
Despite the Italian dominance, other popular cities like Paris, Vienna and Mumbai also made the cut in the top 10.
Sadly, the UK didn’t manage to crack the top 30, with other notable absences including Hong Kong, Barcelona, Ho Chi Minh, Bangkok, and Amsterdam.
The top 30 best cities for food:
Naples
Milan
Bologna
Florence
Mumbai
Rome
Paris
Vienna
Turin
Osaka
Madrid
New York
Genoa
Nice
Lima
Jakarta
Kyoto
Gaziantep
Ferrara
New Orleans
Catania
Singapore
Venice
Istanbul
Tokyo
San Francisco
Lisbon
Guadalajara
Chicago
Philadelphia
This comes as Booking.com has unveiled its 2026 Travel Predictions, declaring the year ahead as the era of YOU – where individuality takes the spotlight.
One of the trends they found was Shelf-ie Souvenirs. This is where Brits will look to turn kitchen shelves into cultural showcases.
These shelf-ie souvenirs are moving from fridge magnets to pantry shelves, with travellers increasingly seeking edible and design-led treasures that turn everyday kitchens into showcases of global culture.
This shift is as much about meaning as aesthetics.
More than a quarter (25%) say edible souvenirs help them relive a destination each time they cook, while 24% value how these items showcase local craft, sustainability, and traditional methods.
For others, exclusivity and style play a role, with nearly one in five (16%) choosing destinations for rare souvenirs, limited-edition cookware, or packaging that looks as good on a shelf as it does on social media.
On Friday, after securing her place in Sunday’s 800m final, Hodgkinson said she may have to change her routine.
She said: “With the whole warm-up situation, you’re warming up for almost two hours.
“It can be quite draining, so maybe we will have to look at doing something better come Sunday.”
Last week, American middle-distance runner Nikki Hiltz described it as “weird”, adding: “It’s definitely not usual, but we’re all in the same boat.”
Jamaican coach Stephen Francis was more critical. In an interview with his country’s TVJ news channel, Francis described what he felt were a number of logistical issues, including the “distance from the stadium to the warm-up track”.
He added: “Those areas of a meet are not befitting the top meet of the year for World Athletics.”
A World Athletics statement said: “The athlete experience is of utmost importance for World Athletics and the local organising committee at these World Athletics Championships, and we have put a lot of consideration into their preparations within the constraints of locations and venues.
“This type of configuration is not unique – as we have seen from previous Olympic Games and other major athletics championships.
“The rules regarding warm-up, call room and transport apply to every team and every athlete without exception.
“The brilliant performances we have seen so far from the athletes speak for themselves.”
1 of 5 | Sharp Corp’s “Poketomos, or pocket friends, are tiny robots that can fit in a large jacket pocket or purse, and Sharp touts that they can talk with their owners and remember personal details. They were a highlight of this past weekend’s International Tokyo Toy Show. Photo by Steve Ross/UPI
TOKYO, Sept. 1 (UPI) — Toy fans of all ages and industry professionals braved the searing heat of August’s final weekend to attend the 2025 International Tokyo Toy Show and see the latest trends in the marketplace.
The Japan Toy Association sponsored the event held at Tokyo’s gargantuan Big Sight exhibition center, with 200-plus vendor companies displaying more than 30,000 toys, some of them yet to be released. While this year’s attendance is still being tabulated, the 2024 event drew more than 80,000 attendees.
The four-day show, which ran Thursday through Sunday, was divided into two days for industry professionals and two days for the public.
Toys are still big business in Japan. Despite a declining national birthrate, the nation’s toymakers racked up a revenue increase in fiscal 2004 of roughly 8% over fiscal 2023, achieving record high earnings, according to JTA data.
Akihiro Sato of the Tokyo Japan Toy Association chapter said that fully grown spenders with bigger wallets are, in part, driving those earnings.
“For the past few years, we’ve been using the term ‘kidult,’ which is a combination of ‘kid’ and ‘adult.’ Simply put, this means that adults with a child’s heart collect toys that they can touch and play with,” Sato said.
High-tech interactive toys, robots and PC-related playthings accounted for an over-40% annual jump in revenue for this sector of Japan’s toy industry, leading all others by percentage, according to JTA statistics.
Among the toys aimed at “kidult” customers are so-called AI companion robot-pets, one of which is Sharp Corp’s “Poketomo, or pocket friend. The tiny robot can fit in a large jacket pocket or purse, and Sharp touts that it can talk with its owner and remember personal details.
To power its AI for customized conversations, it maintains chat records, location data and on-board camera images. The product won an innovation award at this year’s show, and is scheduled for release in Japan in November at 39,600 yen, or about $269.
“Kidult” customers also help drive revenues through demand for reissues of yesteryear’s hits. Global visitors to the 2025 International Tokyo Toy Show were able to encounter the latest versions of childhood favorites, and to recall what made them love Japan’s playtime products.
“It’s always focused on high quality. I got a toy from Takara Tomy when I was 5 years old, a little toy car, and it still works and can still be used just fine, even though the battery was corroded because it has been in my cellar for almost 20 years,” attendee Nadia Garson Wangberg of Oslo, Norway, recalled.
While plastic toys dominated the market at this year’s show, some vendors continued to offer traditional wooden wares.
One of them, Vladislav Krit, of EWA Eco-Wood-Art in Pinsk, Belarus, emphasized the essential nature of human touch to play.
“EWA Eco-Wood-Art produces wooden mechanical construction kits. Construction kits because you need to assemble them before you play. It’s about tactile feelings, it’s about how to touch it and how to assemble it. With wood or anything else, you need to touch it before you make a decision to start this thing.”
If trepidation over Trump administration import tariffs on Japanese products was present at the show, it was not obvious. After weeks of U.S.-Japan negotiations, the Trump administration settled on a 15% tariff rate, the nature of the supply chain could result in additional tariffs, potentially affecting Christmas sales.
Sato, of the Tokyo Japan Toy Association, explained how that could happen because of the global nature of production.
“For manufacturers that sell their products to the U.S. market, about 80% of Japanese toy manufacturers’ products are actually produced in China. When selling from China to the United States, Chinese tariffs are added on — something that wasn’t there before. This means that some manufacturers are likely to see their prices rise.”
It added: “This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time.”
Following the event, the Japan Boxing Commission announced all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title bouts will now be 10 rounds instead of 12.
Urakawa is the third high-profile boxer to die in 2025 after Irishman John Cooney passed away in February following a fight in Belfast.
Cooney died aged 28 after suffering an intracranial haemorrhage from his fight against Welshman Nathan Howells.
Hundreds of residents gathered at a beach in Yokosuka city’s Kurihama area, south of Tokyo, over the weekend to pray for marine safety in a summer festival that fuses sacred ritual and seaside spectacle.
As a portable shrine called mikoshi, decorated with Shinto ornaments, was lifted onto bearers’ shoulders, the audience cheered.
The mikoshi had started from Sumiyoshi Shrine and was paraded through neighbourhood alleyways. Shrine priests paused to bless offerings and pray for good fortune for people gathered outside their homes.
When the procession reached the beach, the priests danced and chanted. The festival reached its climax when the bearers entered the water up to their necks, their sweaty faces splashed with seawater.
The procession made a final stop at the nearby ferry terminal, where the mikoshi was carried onto a vessel for prayers for its safe travels.
“Everyone has been looking forward to this day all year,” said Shuji Shimizu, head of the Kurihama Neighbourhood Association. “It’s a celebration of our own strength and unity. Please stay safe out there … and enjoy every moment.”
As evening fell, the mikoshi was carried back to storage at the shrine, until next summer.
EUGENE, Ore. — Kenyans Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet set world records and American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden won a star-studded women’s 100 meters Saturday as the Prefontaine Classic celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Kipyegon finished the 1,500 in 3 minutes, 48.68 seconds, besting her record of 3:49.04 in the event set last year.
Chebet became the first women to run under 14 minutes in the 5,000, finishing in 13:58.06 to surpass Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay’s 2023 mark of 14:00.21 set at the Prefontaine Classic.
“When I was coming here to Eugene, I was coming to prepare to run a world record, and I said I have to try. I said, ‘If Faith is trying, why not me?’” Chebet said about her good friend. “And today, I’m so happy because I’ve achieved being the first woman to run under 14. I’m so happy for myself.”
The day’s most anticipated race was the 100, which featured the top three finishers from the Paris Olympics.
Jefferson-Wooden, who took the bronze medal last summer, finished in 10.75 seconds. Gold medalist Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia was second in 10.77,and Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith of Ivory Coast was third in 10.90.
Sha’Carri Richardson, the silver medalist in Paris, finished last in the nine-runner field. It was just the second outdoor 100 of the year for Richardson, who said she struggled with an unspecified injury in February.
“The only motivation that I had today was having a healthy race and the fact that I executed a healthy race knowing that now I have the time, because I do have that by being the reigning world champion, and all I have to do is just keep pushing and focusing in our practice, so I’m super excited to just finish,” said Richardson, who has her attention on September’s world championships in Tokyo.
Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson won the men’s 100 in 9.86 seconds, ahead of British runner-up Zharnel Hughes. Thompson, who finished second to Noah Lyles at last summer’s Olympics, went into the Pre with the world’s best time this year at 9.75.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who set the world record in the 400 hurdles in Paris, easily won the flat 400 in 49.43.
“It’s a long year, so I’m really just taking it day by day, taking it slow, building and seeing which direction you want to go in by the end of it,” McLaughlin-Levrone said.
Ethiopian Tsige Duguma, the silver medalist at last year’s Olympics, won the 800 in 1:57.10.
Rudy Winkler set an American record in the hammer throw with a hurl of 272 feet, 10 inches. Canadian Camryn Rogers won on the women’s side.
“My training this week was very bad, so I kind of came into this like zero expectations of like ‘Whatever I throw, I throw,’ so I was super surprised by that today,” said Winkler.
In the other field events, American Chase Jackson won the women’s shot put at 68-8 1/2. Lithuanian Mikolas Alekna took the discus at 232-10.
Tara Davis-Woodhall won the long jump with leap of 23-2 1/2 inches. Pole vaulter Armand Duplantis, who set a world record in Stockholm last month, cleared 19-8 1/4 at the Pre.
Biniam Mehary of Ethiopia ran the 10,000 in 26:43.82, a world best this year. Jamaican Ackera Nugent won the 100 hurdles in 12:32.
Alison dos Santos of Jamaica, the bronze medalist in both the Tokyo and Paris Games, won the men’s 400 hurdles in 46.65. Olympic gold medalist Letsile Tebogo of Botswana won the 200 in 19.76. British sprinter Matthew Hudson-Smith held on to win the flat 400 in 44.10.
Niels Laros of the Netherlands won the Bowerman Mile, an event unique to the Prefontaine, in 3:45.93.
The Prefontaine Classic is named for Steve Prefontaine, the Oregon track star who died in a car accident in 1975. The event is the lone U.S. stop on the Diamond League series.
The iconic New York jazz club Blue Note announced Tuesday the opening slate of shows for its long-awaited Los Angeles location, which includes Robert Glasper, Charlie Puth and Killer Mike. After delays caused by construction and permitting in the wake of L.A.’s January fires, the venue will open its doors in mid-August with local favorite Robert Glasper christening the new venue Aug. 14 and 15.
Located in Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard and Ivar Avenue, the celebrated jazz institution is rolling out a roster of A-list artists in jazz and other genres. Following Glasper’s two opening shows, Grammy nominee Alex Isley will headline Aug. 16 and 17.
The first month is particularly stacked, as the team behind the Blue Note is taking the responsibility of introducing the ethos and the way they do shows to an L.A. audience very seriously.
Like the New York Blue Note location (the brand has clubs around the world, including in Napa, Tokyo and Honolulu), artists will be doing two shows a night. Both Blue Note Entertainment President Steven Bensusan and Director of Programming/Talent Buyer Alex Kurland have emphasized that the L.A. location will reflect a local vibe, including in the acts they book.
Among the first run of shows will be a heavy slate of local artists, including Terrace Martin with guest Kenyon Dixon Aug. 19 and 20, Braxton Cook Sept. 9 and 10, Kamasi Washington Sept. 30 to Oct. 5 and Oct. 7 to 12, Keyon Harrold Nov. 18 and 19 and many more.
The rest of the released schedule, which runs into 2026, features a stellar array of jazz luminaries such as Branford Marsalis Oct. 21 and 22, Esperanza Spalding Sept. 2 to 7, Ravi Coltrane Aug. 28 to 31, Kenny Garrett Sept. 11 to 14, Cimafunk Nov. 20 and 21, and a Lady Blackbird residency multiple dates.
Also sticking to the Blue Note ethos, there is a healthy dose of musicians from a variety of genres, such as Charlie Puth Oct. 16 to 19, Andra Day Nov. 28 to 30, Killer Mike Sept. 19 to 21, Slum Village Oct. 20, Ben Folds Dec. 11, Mayer Hawthorne Aug. 25 and more.
Aughton is a tiny village in Lancashire, which has become the UK’s Michelin Star capital after a fifth was awarded to Moor Hall in the latest Michelin Guide
(Image: Moor Hall)
Aughton, a quaint village straddling the border of Lancashire and Merseyside, may appear to be your typical English hamlet. With its tree-lined avenues, grand homes and expansive countryside, it’s an idyllic spot for peaceful Sunday walks away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Not only is it home to a university and a popular bi-weekly market, but Aughton also serves as the picturesque backdrop for Chorley-born chef Mark Birchall’s acclaimed Moor Hall restaurant. In 2017, just months after opening, Moor Hall bagged its first Michelin star, swiftly followed by another in 2018.
The Barn at Moor Hall, a more laid-back sister establishment, was also bestowed with a star that same year. In 2023, the area’s prestige was further elevated when So-Lo on Town Green Lane received a fourth star.
And just this week, the village celebrated an extraordinary fifth Michelin Star, with Moor Hall receiving the honour for the third time.
This is an astounding achievement given the size of the village, equating to roughly one star for every 1,600 inhabitants, outshining even Tokyo, which prides itself on having more of these culinary awards than any other city worldwide, reports the Express.
While this might surprise many, Mark Birchall himself remains steadfast in his belief in Aughton’s unique charm. Speaking to LancsLive, he revealed his long-standing ambition to open a restaurant amidst the abundant resources of his home county.
Mark, hailing from Lancashire, was always passionate about opening a restaurant in his home county. He stated: “We’re surrounded by amazing producers, farmers, growers. If there’s anything we can’t grow, we’ll start on the doorstep and work our way out.”
Moor Hall chef Mark Birchall(Image: Moor Hall)
The emotional moment unfolded as Mark was named the exclusive new recipient of the coveted Three Star honour during Monday night’s dazzling Michelin Guide Awards Ceremony.
Overwhelmed with joy at receiving the Three Stars, Mark expressed his astonishment with an expletive-laden exclamation: “F***ing hell!”.
Reflecting on his aspirations, Mark shared: “I think you kind of dream about these things,” and added, “You kind of almost act it out in your mind of how you will be, but the emotion is incredible.”
Recalling the elation of his first star in 2017, he conveyed how phenomenal this new accolade felt, saying: “We got our first star in 2017 and that feeling is incredible, but this is one of the best feelings ever, this really has destroyed it. Mega, amazing.”
Mark credited his success to a strong team ethos, elaborating: “A good team. The core team have been with me from the start, I’ve got a great core. We look after our guests, really try to make them feel special and focus around that and the quality of the food. We’ve got amazing surroundings. The support of my business partners, this is eight years and it’s incredible.”
Moor Hall in Aughton, Lancashire has now won three Michelin Stars – the ultimate foodie honour(Image: Moor Hall)
Michelin inspectors heaped praise on chef Mark Birchall after their visit, stating: “At Moor Hall, chef Mark Birchall and his team have continued to hone their craft and have now achieved new levels of excellence. The ingredients, many from the kitchen garden, are outstanding; the chefs’ culinary technique is hugely impressive; and the judgement of flavours, of when to prioritise simplicity and when to add complexity, is exemplary.
“The inspectors particularly enjoyed the classically based turbot cooked in brown butter, with seasonal kuri squash and Mylor prawns.”
Hidden away inside a Grade-II* listed edifice from the 13th century, Moor Hall is where heritage meets modern gourmet prowess.
Since Andy and Tracey Bell commandeered the establishment back in 2015, they’ve reimagined it with a generous multi-million-pound refurbishment. With nearly eight years under his belt, Mark presides over a menu informed by a ‘farm-to-fork’ ideology, extolling Croftpak Nurseries’ tomatoes, strawbs from nearby farms, and the highly esteemed Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese.
So Lo Restaurant is another of Aughton’s highlights(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Occupying his current station as head honcho in the kitchen, Mark has previously sharpened his knives as the lead chef at the triple-starred L’Enclume in Cumbria, where he developed an acute appreciation for the calibre of local provisions.
“It’s just amazing,” he enthused. “I mean, Kirkham’s is world class, it’s unbelievable. We’re really, really fortunate, we’re on the edge of the Lake District which has fantastic meat. There’s brilliant beef and lamb up there.”
Moor Hall, now flaunting three Michelin stars, redefines dining with its dedication to sourcing extraordinary and sometimes surprising produce. Notably, within a mere stone’s throw from the restaurant, local grower Molyneux produces kale—an unusual crop for Lancashire but one that’s highly valued worldwide.
“It’s all about using the best ingredients or products that we can buy and turn it into something special,” he proclaimed. “And making those products shine.”
With its West Lancashire setting, Moor Hall promises more than premier produce; the location also offers guests an intersection of urban access and rural allure that Mark belts as “incredible” for both visitors and regional farmers.
He asserts: “The surrounding ancient agricultural landscape of West Lancashire we call home offers some of the most picturesque scenery in the country.
“When I set out on my Moor Hall journey with business partners Andy and Tracey Bell, we shared a vision to bring together the very best surroundings with an unrivalled dining experience. I truly believe that in the short space of time since we opened our doors, we have delivered just that.
“The stars, rosettes and accolades are indeed incredible achievements, and I will always strive to make things better. This said, it is the comfort and enjoyment of our guests that is the ultimate focus of everything we do here. It’s about making people want to come back. We want them to feel like they don’t want to leave, and they do so already planning their return visit.”
