Celebrated hospitality lecturer receives Freedom of the City of London honour

Today, Marc Whitley LAT, a Lecturer in Hospitality, Food and Beverage at Capital City College’s culinary school, has been awarded Freedom of the City of London.

Dating back to the thirteenth century, this prestigious honour formally recognises a person’s ability to conduct their craft or trade in the city of London. While the rules around this honour have changed over the centuries, being awarded Freedom of the City of London remains a significant marker of status and respect for people belonging to certain industries and who are members of livery companies.

Marc has taught at Capital City College’s culinary school in Westminster for years, training generations of top chefs and hospitality professionals. He also runs the college’s fine dining restaurant, the Escoffier, named after Auguste Escoffier and renowned for its high standards of culinary excellence.

Marc was nominated by long-time friend Wendy Mead OBE, in recognition of his contributions to education. She said: “I have been very impressed by Marc’s dedication to the culinary education of young people, sending so many well-trained chefs and allied professionals into exciting careers. Marc is also well placed to join the Worshipful Company of Cooks, a well-respected Livery Company of the City of London, should he so choose.”

As a member of the PM Trust’s Trustee team, Marc’s vast hospitality experience spans continents and a wide variety of premium hotels and restaurants.

Ruston Toms, Chair of the PM Trust, added: “I’m proud of Marc’s achievement of becoming a Freeman of the City of London. His dedication to developing and inspiring the next generation of young hospitality professionals at Capital City College is amazing and something that I know he is hugely passionate about.”

Marc’s influence extends beyond education into the wider hospitality industry, where he is recognised as a leading ambassador for culinary arts.

Lisa Jenkins, Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, said: “He is a fantastic ambassador for the culinary arts and for the wider hospitality industry. He supports students at Capital City College in multiple ways, nurturing them and guiding them to ensure they are ready for their future careers. He is a valued supporter of The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and the Adopt a School Trust and is the epitome of excellent restaurant service.”

Marc said: “This historic honour means a great deal to me, and I’m deeply grateful to all the colleagues, students and mentors who’ve been part of this journey. Education transforms lives, and I’m privileged to play a small part in that transformation.”

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