Tom Kerridge given honorary doctorate from Gloucestershire University

Tom Kerridge, chef patron of the double Michelin-starred Hand & Flowers in Marlow has been awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Gloucestershire.

The chef, who this year opened his second site the Coach, also in Marlow, was given the award for making “an outstanding contribution to his field, both nationally and internationally.”

He said: “I am delighted to receive this award and it is wonderful to share this special occasion with the students graduating today. Having lived and been to school in Gloucester I am very pleased to be able to accept this award.”

Distinguished

The university annually awards doctorates to “distinguished individuals” and people who have supported it in some way.

Baroness Rennie Fritchie OBE, chancellor of the university, who conferred the doctorate upon Kerridge, added: “Tom still maintains close ties with Gloucester and makes regular trips to see Gloucester Rugby play.

Cooking style

“His West Country roots form the core of his cooking style – his love of local produce and its farming heritage is at the core of his cooking style where he promotes solid understanding of ingredients and their seasonality.”

Kerridge is set to present 2016’s Top 50 Gastropubs awards, which will take place on January 25 at Anglian Country Inns site the Hermitage, Hitchin.