Clare Smyth of Restaurant Gordon Ramsay receives MBE

Clare Smyth, Chef Patron of Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, will tomorrow collect her MBE at Buckingham Palace.

The award, which was granted by Her Majesty the Queen earlier this year, will be the culmination of a tremendous year for the restaurant which is one of only four in the UK to be awarded three Michelin stars.

Commenting on her award, Clare said: “The past year has been incredible. When I received the news of my MBE, I couldn’t believe it. It is such an honour to be recognised by my country in this way.

“British gastronomy is some of the very best in the world and I am very proud to be British.”

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay is the flagship venue of the Gordon Ramsay Group and has now held three Michelin stars for over 12 years.

Gordon said: “It’s been an amazing 15 years at Royal Hospital Road and the restaurant just keeps going from strength to strength. The entire team is a credit to themselves, from Jean Claude – Maitre D’ – who has been with us since we opened in 1998, to Clare who took over as Head Chef in 2007.

“I’m just extremely proud that not only the restaurant’s guests have rewarded their dedication and consistency, but also Clare’s talent and contribution have been recognised with the honour of an MBE.”

Following an initial spell as head chef, the restaurant reopened in March 2013 after a major refurbishment, with Clare promoted to the position of Chef Patron.

As well as an MBE, Clare was also awarded Chef of the Year 2013 by the Good Food Guide.

Rob Rose, the restaurant’s manager, recently received an MCA (Master of Culinary Arts) in restaurant service and management, an achievement seen as the highest honour in the UK’s catering industry.

As well as individual awards, the restaurant itself has also been successful in 2013, winning toptable Diner’s Choice Award for Best Service in October and just last week restaurant booking site toptable also named Restaurant Gordon Ramsay the number one in a list of Diner’s Choice Top 100 Best Restaurants in the UK.