An award-winning chef and author who has made Teesdale his home will receive a British Empire Medal this year.
Ryan Riley is a North East chef who overcame personal loss to make a huge difference to the lives of cancer patients.
The 32-year-old, who moved to Barnard Castle last year and has previously lived in Greta Bridge, lost his mother Krista to cancer when he was 20.
Despite his grief, he embarked on a remarkable journey that has taken him from his hometown of Washington to London and beyond, before finding a home he loves in Barnard Castle.
He’s had a hectic but rewarding time over the past decade and has forged bonds with celebrities such as Nigella Lawson, who’s been particularly supportive.
Along with his childhood friend Kimberley Duke, Ryan set up Life Kitchen, which aimed to teach cancer patients how to cook meals that they would find appealing, despite the appetite-reducing side-effects of their illness.
He’d seen how his mother’s cancer had taken away her sense of taste so, working with experts, he developed recipes that patients could enjoy and make for themselves.
Since then, he’s released best-selling books, held many cookery classes, made countless radio and TV appearances and is now looking forward to collecting his British Empire Medal (BEM) which was awarded in the New Year Honours in recognition of his services to sufferers of loss of taste.
Looking back to the day he found out about his award, he said: “It was December and waiting for me at the front door was this really thick letter.
“I thought, ‘this is different from any letter I’ve ever seen’. Then I turned it over and saw On His Majesty’s Service printed on it. I opened it up and ran back in and told my dad straight away!”
Because of his media profile, Ryan was asked to travel to London to speak to the press on behalf of all the BEM recipients on December 30.
“They asked me to be the media lead for British Empire Medals in the UK,” he explained, “so I went to the Cabinet Office for a press conference with other award winners.
“I went to Downing Street and had a private tour with my dad, which was amazing.”
Ryan was disappointed that his lifelong friend Kimberley didn’t receive an award but hopes that she will eventually. And, despite a recent bout of illness that he’s still overcoming, the BEM has inspired him to continue spending his life helping others.
“I started this journey at 24 and it’s been a rollercoaster. After being ill and my life being so up and down, I thought ‘what an opportunity this is to celebrate my mother’s legacy again and to rebuild something for myself, but older and wiser’.”
In addition to receiving his BEM later this year, Ryan has also been invited to a Royal Garden Party.
