Leeds Metropolitan University
Summer Graduation 2006
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Brian Turner
Yorkshire celebrity chef Brian Turner CBE FHCIMA FCGI has today received an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Leeds Met during Summer Graduation 2006.
Brian Turner is one of Britain’s most successful and well-known chefs. He has a national reputation for his contribution to the hospitality industry and is seen as being one of the main contributors to the renaissance of British food.
In addressing the graduands, Brian said, “Over many years I have learnt that the hospitality industry needs friendliness, energy, passion and education. It is only when you enter industry that you understand the meaning of education. That is … and being made to understand there is a world out there that needs to (recognise) our industry.
“You must always remember the power of example as a great tool in teaching and learning. We must make sure our behaviour at all times is professional.”
Brian addressed the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Lee, telling him he should be proud of the work Leeds Met is carrying out in the industry and told graduands that they too should be proud of Leeds Met, and that they should reflect that pride in all that they do.
Brian was born in Elland in 1946 and moved to Morley when he was 18 months old. His father owned a transport café in Hunslet where he started his career as a chef. He attended Morley Grammar School, but left at the age of 16 to attend Leeds College of Food Technology (which eventually became part of Leeds Polytechnic).
After college he decided to concentrate on becoming a chef and went to London to complete his training. He started his career at Simpsons in the Strand , moved onto the Savoy and then worked in Switzerland for two years. He returned to work in London at a new hotel, the Capital which was the first hotel in Britain to earn a Michelin star for the excellence of its cuisine. In 1986 he opened his own restaurant ‘Turner’s’ in Knightsbridge which he later sold in 2001. In 2003 Brian launched his new stand alone restaurant at the Millenium Hotel, London Mayfair.
His career in the media has given him the opportunity to promote British food. He has made regular appearances on Ready Steady Cook, Food and Drink and has also been a judge on Master Chef to name but a few.
Apart from his media career he has become involved in various charities, one of which is the Academy of Culinary Arts’, of which he is President, Adopt a School Trust. The role of the Trust is to develop an appreciation of good food in children and young people.
He is also closely involved in the UK Focus on Food national initiative which provides food education support for primary and secondary schools. The project provides Cooking Buses which travel the country teaching children to cook and encouraging them to consider a career in the food and drink industry. The latest bus, based in Yorkshire and sponsored by Yorkshire Forward, was launched at the Focus on Food Headquarters at Dean Clough in Halifax in June 2005. He is fully committed to the training of young people within the industry, his latest project being the Schools Futurechef Competition.
Brian has received several awards including ‘The Special Award’ at the Catey ceremony at the Grovenor House reflecting his commitment and dedication to the British catering industry, and also acknowledging his tireless hard work with a number of charities. He has also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Yorkshire Society. In June 2002 he was awarded a CBE for his services to tourism and training in the catering industry.
HONORARY AWARDS 2006
Saturday 22nd July
Friday 21st July
Thursday 20th July
Wednesday 19th July