Gastropub pioneer Michael Belben has been named Restaurateur of the Year in the London Restaurant Awards.
Belben, beat off competition from Marlon Abela of the Greenhouse and Alan Yau of Hakkasan to take the title.
Belben, is owner of gastropubs the Eagle in Farringdon and partner in the Anchor & Hope, Waterloo. He is also a partner in restaurant Great Queen Street,which picked up the award for best British restaurant.
Many historians regard Belben as the founder of the gastropub movement. He opened the Eagle in London's Farringdon Road with his business partner and chef David Eyre, in 1991.
Belben is also a partner in the award-winning Anchor & Hope in Waterloo, London.
The Carpenter's Arms in Hammersmith was a finalist in the local restaurant of the year category.
Gastropubs the Hand and Flowers, at Marlow, Buckinghamshire, the Hind's Head in, Bray, Berkshire, the Pipe and Glass Inn, South Dalton, East Yorkshire the Sportsman, Seasalter, Whitstable, Kent and the Star Inn at Harome, North Yorkshire, were all named in the Top 40 Restaurants Outside London.