Michelin star chef Terry Laybourne awarded Freedom of the City award
Newcastle-born chef and restaurateur Terry Laybourne has been awarded the Freedom of the City - Newcastle’s highest civic honour.
The award was presented to Terry in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the city’s hospitality scene.
At a ceremony held at the Civic Centre, Terry received the accolade from Lord Mayor Henry Gallagher, who hailed him as 'a force of nature' who has 'done more than anyone to nurture young talent,' having employed over 5,000 staff throughout his career.
He made history in 1988 as the first chef in Newcastle to earn a Michelin star, just three years after opening his flagship restaurant 21 Queen Street. Since then, he has been instrumental in shaping the city's dining landscape through his 21 Hospitality Group, which includes acclaimed venues like The Broad Chare, St Vincent, and the Saltwater Fish Company.
In 1999, Terry was awarded an MBE for his services to the industry.
Upon receiving the award, he said: “It’s lovely to be recognised for having made a difference, and that’s my overriding feeling. However, I am, and always have been, little more than a cog in the wheel. I’d suggest that I’m the architect, the conductor maybe, who didn’t necessarily build anything. The execution is down to my wonderful staff and the teams of talented people I’ve had around me over the years. I’d like to recognise those people, and I would like them to know that this honour is as much about them as it is about me.
"The reality is that they make me look good. Our industry has a reputation for the transience of its workforce, and yet there are people I work with now who’ve been by my side for many, many years. Being part of 21 Hospitality Group is about being part of an organisation where loyalty goes both ways and where training and career development are a key focus. I’m very proud to have played a small part in bringing Newcastle’s hospitality sector to the fore.”
Terry's name now joins Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe on the sandstone wall of the Civic Centre’s Banqueting Hall.
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