September 10th 2015
This year'sPrince Edward Award for Excellence in Horticulture was awarded to internationally-renowned chef Raymond Blanc at a candlelit banquet in Goldsmiths' Hall. Clare Scheckter, recipient with her husband Jody of last year's award, presented the award to M. Blanc and in a witty speech, she described his fierce attention to detail in both garden and kitchen. "His passion for horticulture is fundamental to everything he does." In response, Raymond Blanc said he had no idea he was so famous in the world of gardening but that he had gardened from the age of six. "The garden is the heart of Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons," he added. "I have a great respect for the craft of gardening. I have twelve gardeners and I love them to bits."
The Master, Stephen Bernhard, replied, saying that what he had learned from M. Blanc was that we should "forget about diet and focus on the passion of eating well". He continued: "You are a very worthy recipient of our Prince Edward Award and horticulture needs more ambassadors like you and the Scheckters."