They received the awards at a special ceremony held at St Stephen’s Church in Vincent Square on September 26.

Both men have been recognised for their commitment and dedication to the promotion of education and training across the hospitality industry and their service and association with their craft, as well as their support for Westminster Kingsway College.

Bates’ career spans almost 50 years in the hospitality industry. Starting out as an apprentice chef in 1966 he has worked in various establishments in London and the Midlands. In 1974 after demonstrating a new product at Hotelympia he spent the next 25 years working with equipment manufacturer Robot Coupe (UK) rising to managing director.

He took on the role as the first Craft Guild CEO in 2006 and radiates the organisation’s aims and objectives to increase the standards of professional cooking through greater awareness, education and training in everything he does.

Basten started his career with a foundation of classical training from apprenticeships with chefs John Burton-Race and Raymond Blanc where he gained valuable Michelin star experience.

He joined the Craft Guild in 1999 and has been an active member of the team that competed in the Culinary World Cup in 2002, 2006, 2010 and the Culinary Olympics in Erfurt in 2000, 2004 and 2008 taking silver medals in each event. He also competed in the 2012 Culinary Olympics.

He took over as chair of the Craft Guild in 2013. He is an active chef mentor for Springboard and various judging roles within the UK culinary calendar, notably Hotelympia and ScotHot.

The WKC awards event is the highlight of the college’s curriculum calendar and is celebrated among the faculty’s culinary, patisserie and hospitality graduates, friends and family.

WKC vice principal for hospitality, Geoff Booth, said: “Martin and Chris are both worthy nominations, their service and commitment to the industry spans, dare I say jointly, almost 90 years.

“Their dedication to constantly promoting skills and excellence within the industry and long standing support and commitment to the Craft Guild of Chefs make them commendable candidates and we wish to honour their highly regarded work within the industry.”

Bates said: “I am delighted to receive the award. Next year the Craft Guild of Chefs celebrates 50 years, and I am honoured to have been part of the industry for almost as long and look forward to leaving my legacy for current and new chefs as they embark on their careers.

“It is a fantastic and rewarding industry to work in and I would encourage and welcome anyone to join and enjoy some of the highlights I have experience since my humble beginnings in 1966.”

Basten added: “It is an honour and privilege to be involved with such a fantastic industry, doing something I love and truly believe in, encouraging and working with others and of course being chair of the Guild. This award is the icing on the cake and as Martin has said a great start to our 50th anniversary celebrations.”