Ron Kinton Anniversary Lecture launched in honour of the centenarian chef educator

Westminster Kingsway College and the Institute of Hospitality are launching an annual lecture series to celebrate the 100th birthday of culinary legend Ron Kinton, one of the authors of Practical Cookery and The Theory of Catering.

The Ron Kinton Anniversary Lecture is being held in recognition of the chef, author and educator, featuring inspirational talks from industry leaders.

Bartlett Mitchell founder Wendy Bartlett, Frederick Forster, head chef at Read's in Faversham, and Sal Gowili and John Williams, general manager and executive chef of the Ritz London respectively, will be speaking at the first event, which is being streamed from Westminster Kingsway College’s Victoria Centre on 28 April at 3pm.

Working with fellow chef Victor Cesarani (pictured above together at Ealing School of Hotel Keeping and Catering in the 1960s), Kinton – who turned 100 in January – recognised the need for a dedicated cookery book for catering students. Writing everything in longhand, the pair produced the first 10 editions of Practical Cookery and the first 11 editions of The Theory of Catering, with later volumes being co-written by David Foskett.

Kinton is also the co-author of Advanced Practical Cookery, Contemporary Cookery, Kitchen & Larder Work and Patisserie & Confectionery.

Gary Hunter, interim principal of Westminster Kingsway College, said: “Ron Kinton’s story is still hugely inspirational and just shows where a career in hospitality can take you.

“The fact students here at WestKing and around the world still use The Theory of Catering as part of their learning is testament to how influential he has been in education and how respected he remains within the industry.

“Ron’s work has had an impact on so many, which is why we and our good friends at the Institute of Hospitality wanted to celebrate his life, passion and commitment in this way.”

Peter Ducker, outgoing chief executive of the Institute of Hospitality, added: “The Institute of Hospitality is delighted to be launching the inaugural Ron Kinton Anniversary Lecture with Westminster Kingsway College.

“Ron started training for his career at Westminster Technical Institute aged 15. I picture him then, when he could not have thought in his wildest dreams where his career would take him, or what a massive impact he would have on future generations. I read his book The Theory of Catering as a student in the 1970s and it’s still in print today.

“I hope that Ron’s remarkable story, and the amazing journeys our speakers at this event have had, will strike a chord with students today and inspire them. I love the thought that perhaps many decades from now, a student, inspired by our speakers and Ron’s example, will be celebrated in a similar way.”

Tickets for for the Ron Kinton Anniversary Lecture are available here.