The Three Chimneys founder and HIT Training exec chairman on Queen's 90th Birthday Honours List

By Emma Eversham and Sophie Witts

- Last updated on GMT

John Hyde received a CBE in the Queen's 90th Birthday Honours list
John Hyde received a CBE in the Queen's 90th Birthday Honours list

Related tags Northern ireland Vocational education Order of the british empire

Shirley Spear, the founder of Isle of Skye restaurant The Three Chimneys and John Hyde, executive training of hospitality training provider HIT Training are among those receiving honours in the Queen's 90th Birthday Honours list. 

Spear, whose restaurant was on the first World's 50 Best Restaurants list in 2002, is also chair of the Scottish Food Commission. She was awarded an OBE for services to the food and drink industry in Scotland. 

Also receiving an OBE in the honours, set to mark the Queen's 90th birthday on Saturday (11 June) was Nicola Dunn of the Titanic Foundation for services to tourism in Northern Ireland. 

MBE

Brewdog founders James Watt and Martin Dickie both received MBEs for services to the brewing industry while Romy Gill, the founder of Romy's Kitchen in Bristol also received an MBE for services to hospitality. 

MBEs were also given to Issam Horshi, managing director of the White Horse Hotel in Northern Ireland for services to the tourism industry in Northern Ireland while John Toner, former director of Hastings Hotel group in Northern Ireland received the same honour for services to hospitality in Northern Ireland. 

CBE 

Hyde, who has more than 30 years' experience in work-based learning for the hospitality industry, achieved the highest honour - the Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for services in the further education and training sectors.

He said: "I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of all my staff at HIT and other colleagues working to deliver apprenticeships and up-skill the country.

"The satisfaction for me is seeing employees in the hotel and catering sector gain skills, confidence and competence through their apprenticeship to improve their life chances and earning potential.

"The hospitality industry has changed beyond recognition in the last 30 years with a phenomenal rise in UK-trained Michelin starred chefs, rise of fine dining, gastropubs and exciting new culinary offerings.  The catering apprenticeship providers and further education colleges have provided the trained chefs to meet this expansion."

Honours recipients, who will receive their awards at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace later this year, were given extra time to celebrate on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 as pubs were permitted extended licensing hours until 1am to mark Her Majesty's official birthday. 

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