Michelin-starred chef Raymond Blanc received a lifetime award for his services to catering last night.

The 59-year-old, who opened Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Great Miltion 25 years ago, was honoured at the AA Hopsitality Awards in London.

His award citation praised “the commitment to the highest quality of service and standards, his track record of constant improvement and unswerving dedication to customer care.”

Mr Blanc’s culinary career has revolved around Oxford.

After a stint as a chef at La Sorbonne restaurant in Headington, he opened his first restaurant, Quat’Saisons, in Summertown in 1977. His restaurant chain Le Petit Blanc also launched in the city.

Mr Blanc said: “I have been in this country for 35 years and it has helped me enormously to become who I am. I have given back by training so many craftsmen, among them 25 Michelin-starred chefs, which is my proudest achievement.

“It has been a great year for me with Le Manoir. However, I’m nowhere near retirement – I love what I do and am involved in so many exciting projects.”