Jason Atherton & Tom Kerridge join 'most influential' on Debrett's 500 2016 list

Chefs Jason Atherton and Tom Kerridge and restaurateurs Russell Norman and Alan Yau are among those who have made it onto this year's Debrett's 500, the specialist publisher's annual list of influential and inspiring people in Britain today. 

Twenty-four individuals from the world of food and drink were included on the list in all with Angela Hartnett, Heston Blumenthal and Jamie Oliver joining the roll-call of chefs while restaurant owner Richard Caring and the Sethi siblings, owners of JKS Restaurants, were also listed. 

Individuals from 23 sectors, including architecture, sport, education and journalism featured on the list, which included 221 new names this year. 

Joanne Milner, chief executive at Debrett’s, said: “The Debrett’s 500 focuses on individuals who demonstrate outstanding qualities of influence, achievement and inspiration. It’s a fascinating and eclectic showcase of talent celebrating the best of British throughout a number of areas, from Film to Fashion, and from Politics to Sport."

Debrett's, founded in London in 1769 established itself as the social network of its time. Today, the Debrett's network is represented by the 22,000 people of achievement and influence in its invitation-only publication, People of Today, while its training academy is designed to 'inspire and empower' the people of tomorrow. 

Debrett's 500 2016 - Food & Drink: 

  • Jason Atherton
  • Mary Berry
  • Heston Blumenthal
  • Richard Caring
  • Chris Corbin and Jeremy King
  • Martin Dickie and James Watt
  • AA Gill
  • Angela Hartnett
  • Tom Kerridge
  • Russell Norman
  • Jamie Oliver
  • Marina O'Loughlin
  • Yotam Ottolenghi
  • Alan Yau
  • Nadiya Hussain
  • Nigella Lawson
  • Oliver Peyton
  • Karam, Jyotin and Sunaina Sethi
  • Jancis Robinson and Nicholas Lander
  • Ella Woodward