There's been a flurry of awards presented to the great and the good of British hospitality in recent weeks. Among them chef and restaurateur Paul Heathcote, who was awarded an honorary fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University, and Robert Cook, chief executive of Malmaison and Hotel du Vin, who was given an honorary degree from The Robert Gordon University.
Also recognised recently were (as my "male" colleague put it) "dreamy chefs" Chris and James Tanner (pictured below) of Tanners Restaurant in Plymouth.
The famous food heroes (James regularly appears on Ready Steady Cook! and Saturday Kitchen) have been recognised for using their skills to undertake a programme in educational outreach work within the South West. This involves them working with local secondary schools and the Armed forces in raising the profile of culinary standards to pupils and service staff. They have also worked with the Plymouth Business School to develop the Hospitality Management Degree programme providing input and masterclasses at the school's purpose-built training restaurant Pilgrims. They, too, were awarded honorary degrees.
