The award recognises the "most outstanding demonstration of services to the catering and hospitality industry" during his long career. He will join the Roux Brothers – the inaugural recipients of the industry Award – in the Hotelympia "Hall of Fame" following the presentation. Raymond said: "I am delighted to be receiving this great honour and look forward to joining the industry's 'Hall of Fame'. It's fantastic to be rewarded in this way for what I have achieved to date." Toby Wand, group exhibition director at Fresh Montgomery, said: "This year's decision was unanimous given Raymond's enormous presence within and outside the industry and the impact he has made on the culinary world over many years of business success. His achievements at Le Manoir are legendary." Raymond started his career in England as a waiter only moving into the kitchen when the chef fell ill. He was 28 when he opened Les Quat'Saisons ploughing all his and his wife Jenny's savings into the venture. His investment paid off when he won the Egon Ronay Restaurant of the Year soon after. More accolades, including Michelin Stars, soon followed. In 1981, the couple opened Maison Blanc, their bakery and patisserie business. Le Manoir is the only country house hotel in the UK to achieve two Michelin Stars for a total of 28 years. His vision and inspiration were encapsulated in The Raymond Blanc Cookery School, opened in 1991 for enthusiastic amateurs and professional cooks alike. In 1996, he opened the first Le Petit Blanc brasserie in Oxford; with several regional branches opening in its wake before Brasserie Blanc came to life in 2006. Hotelympia takes place on 26th February – 1st March 2012, at ExCeL, London. Visitors can register from the application, or go to www.hotelympia.com to see how Hotelympia can be the new inspiration for their business and register now for a free ticket, saving the £30 entrance fee.