The meeting, which took place on Monday 6^th June at Grosvenor House, saw 90 Academy members meet to discuss the year’s successes.

Each year at the Annual General Meeting a number of senior Academicians are selected to be invested with a formal Chair to their chosen mentor in recognition of their significant contribution to the Academy and its activities. 

The purpose of the Investitures is not only to recognise the dedication of the chosen Academicians, but also to remember and acknowledge the importance of our forebears, without whose contribution the hospitality profession would not be what it is today.  Invested Academicians are awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and are known as Fellows. The following members were announced as Fellows:

• Jason Atherton, chef patron of Pollen Street Social to the chair of Frédy Girardet
• Sarah Hartnett, to the chair of John/Judy W. Reed
• Gary Jones, executive head at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons to the chair of Eliza Acton
• Hywell Jones, executive chef at Lucknam Park Hotel to the chair of Josef Favre

Founded in 1980, the Academy of Culinary Arts is Britain’s leading professional association of head chefs, head pastry chefs, restaurant managers and suppliers.  The ‘Royal’ title was gifted to the Academy of Culinary Arts in 2013.