Chef Marcus Wareing might be without a restaurant right now, but he does have something rather more special now, an MBE. The MasterChef: The Professionals judge was among various hospitality folk recognised in this year's honours list. Wareing was awarded for his services to the culinary arts.
Wareing was joined by Teresa "Tea" Colaianni, the chair of WiHTL which supports companies across the Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail industry to create diverse and inclusive environments. "There is still much more to do across the hospitality, travel, leisure and retail sectors," said Colaianni, "but today is a moment to pause and say thank you. This recognition is for all of us."
Another person celebrating this week was Clement Ogbonnaya, the founder of South London pubs the Prince of Peckham and Queen of the South in Tulse Hill who got an an MBE for services to hospitality and to business.
And Ryan Riley, the founder of Life Kitchen announced his MBE on Instagram saying "The King has awarded me a British Empire Medal in the 2026 New Year Honours list for my services to sufferers of loss of taste (a category invented just for me, making me the first UK recipient ever). The culmination of 8 years of work with Life Kitchen. I’m beyond grateful and overwhelmed by the honour."
Congratulations to them and all the hospitality people honoured in this year's list.
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