Alan Coxon also reports ‘It is with great pride that whilst attending a “Disciples of Escoffier” event in Lensburg, Switzerland, recently I was invited to become an honorary member of the “Swiss Chefs Association” and awarded a suitably ornate medal and certificate by its President, Milenko Stajcer.

‘This was a wonderful surprise and special moment of recognition by my peers that certainly lifted the spirits, having undergone two years of negativity caused by the global covid pandemic!.

‘Having such appreciation bestowed upon me, coupled with sharing a gala dinner evening with 200 leading chefs (the first event after what has felt like such a long absence) offered an abundance of light at the end of a tunnel.

‘As I am now apparently an honorary Swiss, I am now looking forward to taking more fresh mountain air in the not too distant future!’