Retiring Richards wants a fresh industry role

Peter Richards, who taught numerous chefs including Jamie Oliver, has announced that he will retire from London's Westminster Kingsway College at the end of the current academic year.

Richards, who turns 62 next month, has spent 15 years at the college, where he trained as a chef in 1957. His decision to quit his post as head of division for external relations at the college's School of Hospitality follows a recent illness and management changes after the recent departure of Tim Cooke, head of the school.

"I don't want to spend any more time getting up at 5am and also, having been through three management structure changes at the college, I didn't really want to go through another," he said.

"I'll miss teaching the students but I won't miss the bureaucracy. I still want an active role in the industry and I'll be free to make more of a contribution to industry and education."

Richards's plans include advisory work with the Maltese ministry of tourism and a BBC TV project.