All ranks applauded in New Year Honours
A cloakroom attendant and a school dinner lady rubbed shoulders with chief executives and managing directors as people from across the hospitality industry were recognised in the New Year Honours list.
Famous names receiving honours included Ramón Pajares, former managing director of the Savoy Group, who was appointed OBE for services to the hotel industry.
Pajares said: "I feel very proud and delighted. It's not just due to my efforts and professionalism but also to the people who have been working with me for a number of years. I see it as recognition of what we have achieved together."
Restaurateur Richard Shepherd, of Langan's Brasserie, was appointed CBE, as was David Thomas, chief executive of Whitbread, both for their services to the catering and leisure industries.
Stephanie Monk, group human resources director at Granada, was also appointed CBE, for services to industry. She sat on the Government's New Deal Task Force on welfare to work and on the Low Pay Commission, which helped lay down the minimum wage.
An OBE for services to business and tourism went to Arlette Banister, director of the 25-bedroom Ackergill Tower, a venue for meetings and private parties in Wick, Caithness. Banister sits on the board of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Council.
Edward McIntyre, principal of the Birmingham College of Food, Tourism and Creative Studies, was appointed CBE for his services to higher education.
Patrick Gwynn-Jones was appointed MBE for his work for the Restaurant Association, as was Nicola Hayward, proprietor of the Seaview Hotel and Restaurant on the Isle of Wight, for services to tourism.
"I was absolutely thrilled and felt extremely privileged," said Hayward, who has served on various Government tourism bodies and has been held up as a model of good business practice at her 14-bedroom hotel. She added: "I'm really pleased there's such a good spread of people from our industry as well."
Sarah Anderson, chief executive of catering recruitment firm Mayday Group, was appointed CBE for services to training and enterprise. Before setting up Mayday, she worked for contract caterer Compass.
Several unsung heroes of the hospitality industry were also appointed MBEs.
They included Maria Kolliari, who has worked as a cloakroom attendant at Scotts restaurant in central London for 42 years, and Doreen Round, catering supervisor at Bede College on Teesside.
Further MBE awards went to Ruth Modeste, assistant cashier for Gardner Merchant at the staff canteen at the Home Office, and to catering manager Theresa Stafford, for her services to the Millennium Dome.
Gesto Cancela, head chef at Woking Community Hospital in Surrey, and David Watson, catering manager at University College, Durham, were also made MBEs, as was Constance Parker, for her services to an independent meals-on-wheels scheme in Lincolnshire.
by David Shrimpton
