A celebrity chef with deep Wandsworth roots and a mental health chief serving local residents are among those recognised in the New Year Honours 2026.
Marcus Wareing, the MasterChef: The Professionals judge known to millions of television viewers, has been awarded an MBE for services to the culinary arts and broadcasting. The chef lived in Wandsworth for many years before moving to nearby Wimbledon, and still maintains strong connections to the area through his family and favourite local restaurants.
Also honoured is Vanessa Ford, chief executive of South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust, who received an MBE for services to mental health nursing. The trust provides specialist mental health care to residents across Putney, Wandsworth and surrounding areas.
From St Ann’s Hill to MasterChef
Wareing’s Wandsworth connection runs deeper than many viewers might realise. He lived at St Ann’s Crescent for years, and his youngest child still attends Broomwood School in the borough. Even after relocating to Wimbledon, the chef remains a regular at local establishments including Chez Bruce on Wandsworth Common and Trinity in Clapham.
The 55-year-old chef earned his first Michelin star at just 26, making him one of the youngest chefs to receive the accolade. Over a 35-year career, he has been involved in creating some of London’s most celebrated restaurants, including the two-Michelin-starred Marcus at The Berkeley, which closed in December 2023 after 20 years.
Since 2014, Wareing has served as a judge on MasterChef: The Professionals, where his firm but fair mentoring style has made him a familiar face to audiences. His 2022 BBC series, Marcus Wareing’s Tales from a Kitchen Garden, explored British farming and ingredient sourcing.
Supporting mental health locally
Ford’s recognition acknowledges her leadership of South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust, which operates three sites across central London providing face-to-face support for people experiencing mental health difficulties.
The trust serves residents from Wandsworth, providing specialist services including crisis support, community mental health teams, and therapeutic interventions. While Ford lives in Devon, her organisation plays a crucial role in mental health provision for local people.
The broader honours list
The New Year Honours list, published on 31 December, includes 1,157 recipients from across the UK. Among the most recognisable names, actor Idris Elba receives a knighthood for services to young people, while comedian and writer Meera Syal becomes a dame.
Ice skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean also receive dame and knighthoods respectively, 40 years after their famous Bolero performance won Olympic gold. Wicked star Cynthia Erivo receives an MBE, as does television presenter Richard Osman for his writing and broadcasting work.
But the list celebrates quieter contributions too. Jennifer Turner, a school crossing patrol officer, receives the British Empire Medal for services to road safety. Master woodcarver Robert Wedderburn gains recognition for preserving traditional craft skills. Mervyn Sydney Kersh, a British Army veteran who witnessed the liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, is honoured for Holocaust remembrance work at age 98 or older.
The largest category of honours went to charity and voluntary work, with 310 recipients recognised for community service. This reflects a pattern across the list of celebrating grassroots impact over headline-grabbing achievement.
Both Wareing and Ford’s honours reflect contributions that extend far beyond Wandsworth, but their local connections add a neighbourhood dimension to national recognition. For Wareing, it acknowledges a career built partly on the foundation of his years living and raising his family in the area. For Ford, it recognises work that directly benefits local residents seeking mental health support.
Recipients receive their honours at investiture ceremonies held at Buckingham Palace and other royal residences throughout the year.
