Isaacson's tax demand fears become an honour

RESTAURATEUR Laurence Isaacson (pictured left)has been awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

The co-founder and deputy chairman of the London-based restaurant chain Groupe Chez Gérard said: "Personally I am thrilled. When I received the notification from Her Majesty's Services I thought it was a tax demand and I was too nervous to open the envelope."

Isaacson, also a member of the London Tourist Board, was awarded the accolade for his services to both the restaurant trade and tourism.

He added: "It is a great honour not only for me but for the other 6,000 restaurateurs who have helped to make London one of the gastronomic capitals of the world."

Isaacson and his long-standing business partner group chairman Neville Abraham opened their first restaurant, Le Café des Amis du Vin, in Covent Garden in 1981.

Four years later they set up Groupe Chez Gérard, which operates 15 of the capital's restaurants including Bertorelli's, Scotts, Café Fish, Soho Soho, Chez Gérard, Livebait and St Quentin.

Other honours went to Alastair McKinnon Wilson, managing director of Newcastle Breweries and Richard Tobias, chief executive of the British Incoming Tour Operators Association, who were both awarded OBEs.