Alison Swan Parente, founder of the School of Artisan Food at Welbeck, was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours list.

“I am particularly pleased that it recognises the charitable work of the school, which I established to educate and train people from all backgrounds in artisan food skills,” she said.

The School of Artisan Food, founded in 2009, with the help of a development agency grant, is the first educational establishment dedicated entirely to the teaching of traditional breadmaking, cheese making and butchery skills.

It focuses on the promotion of healthy eating and a sustainable food system, and is a registered charity that fundraises for bursaries for longer courses.