Alan Yau, the man whose Wagamama chain invaded the UK invasion of noodle bars, is named one of Britain's "50 most influential foodies" by The Independent on Sunday for making chopsticks trendy.
Others listed include Algerian-born Mourad Mazouz, for pioneering innovative restaurants, and Vineet Bhatia, owner of the Rasoi Vineet Bhana in London's Chelsea, for taking the flock wallpaper out of Indian cooking.
Oliver Peyton, whose latest venture is Inn the Park in St James's Park, is the coolest restaurateur, and Sir Terence Conran is listed for "providing the food and the dining room furniture".
The Roux brothers are named "the godfathers of immaculate cooking", while Paul Heathcote, who opened a Michelin-starred restaurant near Preston, is "the man behind the great north-west revival".
The Independent on Sunday 13/06/04 (The Sunday Review) pages 10-13
