New Year Honour for La Trompette Owner

Four Chiswick residents awarded in this year's list

Four Chiswick residents have been recognised in the New Year's Honours list this year.

La Trompette owner, Nigel Platts-Martin has been given an MBE for services to the hospitality industry. As well as being responsible for Chiswick's highest rated restaurant he is credited with having discovered Marco-Pierre White who worked with him in the early stages of his career. After working in the City as a corporate finance lawyer Nigel set up Harveys restaurant in Wandsworth along with Marco-Pierre White. He is currently involved with 5 restaurants all of which enjoy an enviable reputation for quality which the Harden's restaurant guide puts down to his perfectionism. The result has been a clutch of Michelin stars. His restaurants employ over 200 people.

Nigel told us, " "I was very surprised, it didn't enter my mind that I would receive an award, these things happen to other people! I'm thrilled but this accolade is also for all the staff at the five restaurants who work so hard.

"I'm very proud of La Trompette, it's not just a business it's integral part of the Chiswick community."

The highest honour in our area went to Marina Vaizey, a broadcaster, exhibition curator and journalist, who was given a CBE. She was formerly Art Critic for the Financial Times and Sunday Times and editor of the Art Quarterly and Review. As well as writing several books on art she regularly gives lectures at the the National Gallery and British Museum and has served as a trustee of a number of museums.

She told ChiswickW4.com, "I think that the arts in this country - museums, galleries, artists, theatre, music, dance, and all sorts!...are simply terrific, and it has been marvellous and exciting, and entertaining to work with and for them! Chiswick has a lot of creative people too, such a wonderful neighbourhood!"

Olympic Gold Medal Winner, Double World Rowing Champion, Royal Navy Officer and Oxford graduate Peter Reed was awarded an MBE. He became world champion in the sport just three years after taking it up in University and is currently training hard for the 2012 London Olympics.

The self-effacing Peter met up with ChiswickW4.com earlier in 2008 to tell us his favourite things about living in Chiswick one of which was dining at La Trompette.

Chiswick resident, David Onllwyn Jones, Assistant Headteacher, Villiers High School, Southall was given an MBE. Dai Jones, as he is known to staff and pupils at the school was described as a leading light", "inspirational" and "exceptional" when receiving the London Teacher of the Year in 2006. Mr Jones, 52, has been teaching history and modern languages at the school for 25 years.

Sam Younger was also made a CBE until last month, he was Chairman of the Electoral Commission. He lives near Ravenscourt Park.

January 3, 2009