A CHEF from Thornbury who received an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours has said she hopes to inspire other women in the food industry.

Romy Gill, owner of popular restaurant Romy’s Kitchen in Castle Street, was honoured in the list for her services to the hospitality industry, and has said she hopes that it can help to inspire other women in the trade.

Mrs Gill, 44, started the business in 2008, offering catering, private dining and cookery class, before opening the restaurant in 2013, becoming the first female Indian chef in the UK to both own her own restaurant and run the kitchen.

Speaking to the Gazette, she said: “If I can be given an MBE, I would like to think it could inspire other women in the food industry, as it is a cut throat one to be in sometimes.

“You can’t please everyone. Food is so subjective and some people will criticise you, but if you enjoy it, stick to your guns and keep going.

“All criticism needs to be taken on board, it helps make you better in a tough business to work in.”

Since opening, the restaurant has become well known for its nutritious, well-styled Indian food, and has been put forward for a number of awards, including Best Newcomer at the National British Curry Awards 2014, and Best Vegetarian award at the 2014 Bristol Good Food Awards.

Romy said that she received a letter from the Cabinet Office around four weeks ago congratulating her for the honour, but said she was not allowed to tell anyone until the official announcement last week.

But before she even found out, having seen the official looking envelope, she had assumed the letter was just another bill, and left it unopened on the side.

“It wasn’t until I asked my daughter to open it a couple of days later that I saw how excited she was and realised what was really inside the envelope,” she said.

“I thought they had the wrong person. I even rang the Cabinet Office to ask if they actually meant to send it to me. After having a laugh at my phone call, they said it was definitely for me.

“When you come from a small family in India as I do, you don’t expect to receive something like this. It truly is amazing, especially in such a special year as it is Her Majesty’s 90th birthday.”

But she says that while people have been very happy for her and are surprised by her less than excited mood, it is in fact because she is still in shock, saying it hasn’t really sunk in yet.

“If anyone is excited by this, it is my daughters, they are really excited to go to the palace and see the Queen. I am hoping my family can go and we can enjoy it together.”