3 September 2009: At the sumptuous awards held at the Royal Institute of Great Britain last night, Raymond Blanc OBE, chef-patron/chairman of the two Michelin starred Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons and founder and inspiration of Brasserie Blanc and Maison Blanc, was honoured by the readers of Condé Nast Traveller, receiving the runner up award in the UK Leisure Hotels category. The award was presented to Blanc by editor Sarah Miller and comedian Marcus Brigstocke.

Scores in the various categories are based on several months' voting by over 80,000 readers and via the very popular CNTraveller.com website. As the UK's most highly esteemed and influential travel honour, being rewarded a distinction is recognised as a benchmark of true quality amongst Britain's most discerning leisure and business travellers.

Blanc commented:

"My team and I are very honoured to receive this award from the readers of Condé Nast Traveller, who have been my guests at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons over the years. I am constantly searching for ways to improve every single facet of Le Manoir, which remains my pride and joy. This year (as we celebrate 25 years) has been one of incredible excitement filled with dreams and new ideas.

My deepest desire is to ensure that we continue to evolve our idea of excellence. My biggest demon is that I don't think it really is possible to achieve perfection but a source of great joy for me is the fact that I do believe that it is possible to come very, very close! That is what we strive to do at all times and will continue to do for the next 25 years and beyond!"

Since opening in 1984, Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons has achieved the highest awards of any restaurant and country house hotel in the UK and is regarded as one of the very best in Europe. One of the few restaurants in the world to retain two Michelin stars for 25 consecutive years, Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons remains a Mecca for gourmets the world over.

The Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Awards adds to the firmament of success that Blanc has had over the past 25 years and as far as he is concerned, paves the way for further successes in the future.