MICHAEL Messent, partner at Trethowans solicitors of Southampton, has been elected and crowned "Master of the Worshipful Company of Cooks of London".

He was made a member of this Livery Company 25 years ago and followed in the footsteps of his father, who was not only a clerk of the company in the 1960s, but who, like Michael, was also in the legal profession.

Awarded a royal charter in 1482, the Cooks' Company is no longer active in trade, but promotes cookery and catering by making various charitable donations.

At present, among other projects, the company donates funds to Bournemouth University for research into food nutrition, especially for the elderly and infirm.

It also helps Hackney College provide specially-equipped kitchens and cookery courses to enable the mentally and physically disabled to gain independence, and the Academy of Culinary Arts, whose members include Brian Turner, Albert Roux and Michael Bourdin, fund a scheme to help children learn about cookery.

The Cooks' Livery Company works closely with schools, providing bursaries and scholarships to promote cooking to young people, and supports catering in the armed forces, most recently making sure the best food possible is provided for Afghanistan.

At Trethowans, Mr Messent deals with licensing law, working with clients such as Bacardi Martini, Santa Fe, Pizza Hut and others.

"Since my office work and the Livery Company are both leisure-orientated, I find they complement each other nicely," he said.

His wife Marilyn will help him greatly in his year of office. She shares his interest and the opportunity to help individuals and organisations who are working in the cooking and catering industry.