Angela Hartnett and Robin Hutson awarded OBEs in New Year Honours

Chef Angela Hartnett and hotelier Robin Hutson have been awarded OBEs in a New Year Honours list which celebrates the achievements of a number of hospitality heroes.

Hartnett, who received an MBE in 2007, was recognised for services to the hospitality industry and to the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The chef has been an outspoken voice for the sector over the past two years, campaigning for a minister for hospitality and highlighting the impact of government decisions on restaurants, pubs and hotels.

During the first lockdown in 2020 Hartnett set up non-profit charity Cook-19 to create and deliver meals to NHS workers. She was among 54 chefs who contributed to the Chefs at Home cookbook in aid of Hospitality Action in 2021, as well as becoming a patron of the industry charity.

Hartnett said: "It's just amazing to achieve this and it could not have been done without the teams, past and present, at the restaurants."

Hutson, who is behind the Pig group and Lime Wood hotel in Hampshire, has been another major voice for the hospitality industry during the pandemic.

He spearheaded the #seatatthetable campaign for a minister for hospitality, meeting with business minister Paul Scully over the issue, as well as speaking out on issues such as the impact of the 10pm curfew.

Reflecting on the honour, he said: "I am thrilled and humbled in equal measures as there are so many unsung heroes doing great work in our industry. I have been lucky to find hospitality as a career and am very grateful for the rewards, awards and this honour in particular, that I've received."

Food writer Claudia Roden has been made a CBE for services to literature. The Egyptian-born author published her first cookbook in 1968 and over the past three decades has authored numerous books, with chefs including José Pizarro and Yotam Ottolenghi crediting her as inspiration.

Andrew Denton, head of hotels GB at Best Western, was awarded an MBE for charitable services to the NHS and vulnerable people during the pandemic. To relieve pressure on the NHS the hotel group took in patients not well enough to return to their own homes as well as offering space for outpatient appointments and other medical services.

An MBE has also been given to Paul Hugill, owner and head chef of the Priory hotel in Louth, Lincolnshire. Hugill was recognised for the opportunities he has given people with learning difficulties or mental health challenges, who make up the majority of his employees.

There were also MBEs for Antonis Eleftheriou, contract director of sovereign base areas for caterer Sodexo in recognition of his support of British Forces in Cyprus, and Andrew Wilson, managing director of Greene King’s Destination Food Brands Division for services to business and to charity during Covid-19.

The heads of several trade bodies have also been recognised with MBEs including Malcolm Bell, chief executive of Visit Cornwall; Colin Neill, chief executive of Hospitality Ulster and Samantha Richardson, director of the National Coastal Tourism Academy.

There were a number of MBEs for catering managers in the public sector including Janet McAlister, the head of school catering for Northern Ireland; Kim Phillips, head of catering and facilities services for Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and Matthew White, director of Campus Commerce for the University of Reading.

A number of hospitality figures have also been named Medallists of the Order of the British Empire:

Dr John Manley, co-founder, DeliverAid. For services to frontline workers and the NHS during Covid-19

Sharron De Abreu Faria director of Art and Hospitality, the Right to Work CIC. For services to supported volunteers and artists with learning disabilities particularly during Covid-19

Suzy Jakeman, for services to the London Community Kitchen, particularly during Covid-19

Stephen Chamberlain, founder of St Laurence’s Larder and Open Kitchen. For services to the community in the London Borough of Brent

Angela Blower, catering manager, Middlesbrough Council, North Yorkshire. For services to Education