BURY chef Mark Kenyon (pictured) had a very special guest for lunch last Friday (September 19) - the Prince of Wales.

Prince Charles was in Manchester on his first public engagement since the funeral of Princess Diana, and Mark, who is head chef at the BBC in Manchester, made lunch for the heir to the throne.

The meal - a finger buffet including such delicacies as mini beef Wellingtons, chicken and leek canapes, fresh black pudding and mint bread and sage Derby and onion scones - went down very well with His Royal Highness.

"After the buffet he asked to meet me," said Mark, who lives in Bury Road, Tottington. "He asked me if I had prepared the food, and told me it was exceptional.

"It was a great honour, I think I was the only member of staff to shake his hand!"

The Prince was at an event at the BBC for the Macmillan Nurses in Manchester, and was among 200 people to enjoy Mark's buffet.

Mark writes a regular recipe column in the Bury Times' monthly Style Magazine.

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