A chef who helped provide free meals for Reading children during school holidays was awarded an MBE in the Queens New Year Honours.

His work during the pandemic, which also included donating food to care homes and food banks in the town, were some of a long list of reasons why Matthew White, from Reading, was recognized for services to the catering and hospitality industry.

During his 30 years working for the University of Reading he has risen from chef to Director of Campus commerce and made sure that everyone from students to foreign dignitaries and the Queen herself went home with full stomachs.

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“We had a big celebration last night - being able to let the cat out the bag was a big relief which was helped by a very large bottle of champagne,” said Mr White, who, like all those who made the honours list, have had to keep their success a secret since November.

“I’m very moved and very humbled by the things that people are saying about me and feeling a lot of love which is incredible.

“It’s such a wonderful way to be honoured. I’m a great royalist anyway, I absolutely adore the Queen.

He added: “To be recognized with an honour from the Queen herself is just mindblowing.”

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Aged 21, Mr White quit his job at The Mansion House, in Prospect Park, to cover shifts at the university for a chef who was on maternity leave.

Now, aged 51, he has turned what was a £650k-loss-making business into one making £12m to be reinvested into education and research.

Meanwhile as CEO of The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO), he turned the company into the leading public sector catering organisation in colleges, NHS trusts, hospices and care homes.

At TUCO he partnered with Mary’s Meals, a charity which helps feed children in developing countries, and raised more than £120,000.

Mr White had no idea both TUCO and the university had nominated him for an MBE.

“It’s wonderful to be recognized for both of the areas that I’ve worked in,” he said.

“I can’t really comprehend it yet.”