OBE Awarded to Master Chefs of Great Britain Chairman, George McIvor

George McIvor, Chairman of Master Chefs of Great Britain, has been awarded an OBE in the King’s New Year Honours List for his contribution to the Catering and Tourism Industries.

The Master Chefs of Great Britain (MCGB), whose members include chefs from Michelin and 2AA Rosette establishments, are dedicated to culinary excellence and support emerging talent through masterclass demonstrations, learning opportunities, and mentorship.

During George McIvor’s tenure as Chairman, MCGB has reached over 1,000 apprentice and student chefs from Scotland and northern England annually through their programme of masterclasses in Edinburgh. These masterclasses give students unique access to world-class chefs allowing them to learn new skills with high-quality Scottish produce while promoting sustainability.

A keen advocate for young chefs George said: “I am deeply humbled to be recognised in the King’s New Year Honours List. I strongly believe in encouraging young people and children to participate in and enjoy food. Their natural inquisitiveness and eagerness to learn is something to be encouraged. I am very grateful to my fellow chefs and supporters who enable our work.”

As well as supporting future chefs through MCGB, George also donates his time to several charitable organisations including Leukaemia UK, MND, SAMH mental health, Keech Hospice, Teenage Cancer Trust, Beatson Cancer Charity, Child Poverty and Inequality, Edinburgh Community Food.

In 2005 in recognition of his work and contribution to the foodservice and hospitality industry he was awarded the CIS Development Chef of the Year, in 2006 he was appointed, Chairman of the Master Chefs of Great Britain.

Patron of the Master Chefs of Great Britain, Lady Claire Macdonald OBE said: “George’s recognition is so richly deserved for the work he has done over decades to further the reputation of the profession of chefs, in educating not only schoolchildren but people of all ages about nutrition, and in his endless generosity of his time to publicise the excellence of the quality of food in Scotland in the U.K.”

With a passion for food and the hospitality business, George mentored apprentice chefs who went on to compete in the national and global culinary competitions such as the Culinary Olympics.

It was during his 10 years in food development as food ambassador for Baxters Food Group where he provided creativity and innovation in recipe development to all the major retailers within the UK where he mastered sourcing the finest foods.

 Then in 2006 George founded The Full Range Ltd, a consultancy offering innovative ideas and culinary solutions. The Full Range developed and delivered numerous chef skills workshops for the Food Excellence Programme, encouraging the use of British quality, local and seasonal foods to enhance customer satisfaction.

James Thomson OBE and fellow committee member of the Master Chefs of Great Britain said: “George's childhood love of food led to his career in hospitality, spanning over forty years, sourcing the very best of British food, supporting farmers and local producers to ensure the finest produce was delivered to the best kitchens throughout the UK. George is truly devoted to the betterment of the hospitality industry and as Chairman of the Master Chefs of Great Britain, he has worked tirelessly promoting sustainable careers in hospitality and the culinary arts to many hundreds of students, enhancing their careers with masterclass demonstrations and mentorships, whilst raising funds for many charitable causes and touching many lives.”