Master Chef Judge is next President of the Royal Agricultural Society of England

John Torode, BBC's MasterChef presenter and leading London restaurateur, is to be the next President of the Royal Agricultural Society of England.

Mr Torode will succeed the current president, Lord Salisbury, in October this year. Australia-born Mr Torode has emerged as one of the great champions of British food both through his restaurant, Smiths of Smithfield, and through his TV appearances and other media contributions.

Commenting on the appointment, RASE Council Chairman, Hugh Oliver-Bellasis, said:

"This is a terrific development for RASE. John Torode will follow a succession of excellent, high-profile Presidents who have contributed so much to the long-term development of the Society.

"John is a great champion of British food. He sources 100% British food and the menus in his restaurant detail every farmer supplier that he works with. RASE will use his presidential year, with John's full backing and support, to give UK farming the highest possible profile and to create greater awareness of the ways in which farmers can access the growing and profitable food service sector."

Between recordings of the final stages of the current BBC MasterChef series – the most successful yet in viewer figures – Mr Torode expressed his delight at the appointment.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to link the current, high-profile interest in good food with the excellence of British farming. I know, from the work we do with our suppliers, that British food really is the best of the best. I want to use my presidential year to shout that message from every available platform.

"Also, in the Royal Show, the Society has an event that can be used as a genuine national show case for our food and drink producers. I am looking forward to working with the RASE and, through the Society, with as many people as possible in the farming industry, to promote what I truly believe is some of the best food in the world," he said.