World's best chef and Oscar-winning director receive honorary degrees – University of Reading
30 June 2006
Three Michelin Star chef, Heston Blumenthal, and Oscar-winning director, Anthony Minghella, will both receive honorary degrees from the University of Reading during this year's summer graduation ceremonies. Heston Blumenthal will be awarded the honorary Doctor of Science degree on Friday 7 July in recognition for his unique scientific approach to food and long-standing relationship with the University's School of Food Biosciences. Professor Donald Mottram, from the University's School of Food Biosciences, will present Heston with his degree, 'Heston is one of the best chefs in the world and has achieved international acclaim for his innovative style of cuisine. While he has been developing a novel approach to food at his restaurant, the Fat Duck, Heston has had frequent contact with the School of Food Biosciences and has even been involved with our teaching and research. We are delighted to be awarding him the honorary degree, he is just what science needs - young, enthusiastic, successful, an excellent communicator and a great advocate of practical science.' Anthony Minghella will receive his honorary Doctor of Letters degree on Saturday 8 July in recognition of his exceptional creative endeavour and cultural leadership in the fields of film, theatre and television. As a scholar of Samuel Beckett's work and a patron of the Beckett International Foundation at the University of Reading, Anthony has close links with the University. In April this year he directed stars including Jude Law, Alan Rickman, Felicity Kendal and Lee Evans in a gala evening organised by the University to mark the hundredth anniversary of Beckett's birth. Professor Jonathan Bignell, Head of the University's Department of Film, Theatre and Television, will be presenting Anthony Minghella with his degree, 'Across the media of theatre, radio, television and film, Anthony continues to be a leading figure in the arts nationally and internationally and as such, we are delighted to be awarding him this degree.' Ends Heston Blumenthal press call: outside the Acacias, London Road Campus, University of Reading, Reading arrive 11:20am for 11:30am start on Friday 7 July 2006 Anthony Minghella press call: outside the Acacias, London Road Campus, University of Reading, Reading 4:00pm Saturday 8 July 2006 For media enquiries, please contact: Eleanor Holmes Press Officer, The University of Reading T: 0118 378 6166 M: 0796 217 8632 E: e.m.holmes@reading.ac.uk