Queen's Birthday Honours 2015: Who was awarded in hospitality?

14-Jun-2015 - Last updated on 26-Apr-2021 at 15:10 GMT

Restaurateurs Henry Dimbleby and John Vincent have been awarded MBEs for their work on the School Food Plan

Leon co-founders Henry Dimbleby and John Vincent, Red Hot World Buffet director Helen Dhaliwal and the co-owners of The Riverside Restaurant in Dorset were among those awarded in the Queen's Birthday Honours List 2015.

Dimbleby and Vincent were awarded MBEs for their help in creating the School Food Plan.

Since the plan's publication in July 2013, schools have changed their food culture, introducing compulsory cooking lessons and new school food standards. School lunches have also been made free for five, six and seven-year-olds.

“Writing and helping to implement the School Food Plan was a massive privilege and a character-building task. This recognition is a tribute to all of the people who work hard every day to provide health, pleasure and improved attainment to our children. Let’s all keep going," said Vincent.

Also picking up an MBE was Helen Dhaliwal, co-founder and director of Red Hot World Buffet, awarded for services to the hospitality industry.

British Empire Medal

Arthur and Janet Watson, co-owners of The Riverside Restaurant, a seafood restaurant in West Bay, near Bridport, were both awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the hospitality industry in the South West while Andrew Wood, executive chef at the University of York received the same honour for services to higher education and university catering.

Gary Verity, chief executive at Welcome to Yorkshire was one of 33 men to receive a knighthood. The tourism chief was recognised for services to tourism and the Tour De France Grand Depart 2014.

There were 1,163 people honoured in total this year.