Raymond Blanc made honorary OBE

Raymond Blanc has been made an honorary OBE for services to the British food industry.

The Restaurant host was presented with the honour by Culture Secretary Andy Burnham.

The French-born chef arrived in Britain in 1972 and opened his first restaurant in Oxford 12 years later. Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons was named Egon Ronay Restaurant of the Year in 1985 and has retained two Michelin stars for more than two decades.

Blanc said: "I am both proud and delighted to be awarded this honour by Her Majesty the Queen for my contributions to the food industry in Britain. Being French, I have an almost innate love of the best cuisine and produce.

"I am thrilled that building my successful career in cooking has grown alongside building an awareness and appreciation of good food, healthy dishes and quality produce for British palates."

The season finale of BBC's The Restaurant airs tomorrow, having pulled a series high of 2.7 million viewers last Wednesday.