A former TV chef, who describes himself as an “ordinary old Anglican" is Wellingtonian of the Year

Father Des Britten, who left showbiz behind to help the needy and retired, was announced as the supreme award winner at a ceremony at the Amora Hotel.

Fr Britten retired in July 2011 after 17 years at the helm of Wellington City Mission. He took over the mission in 1994, increased the staff from seven to about 30, and shouldered the task of feeding hundreds of people a week.

Fr Britten said receiving the accolade was very humbling and that he was “blown away”.

He credits much of his success as a city missioner to his celebrity status. “People can be very shy - but when they know you from television – they can say ‘I know you’”.

In the 1970s Fr Britten hosted two television shows, Thyme for Cookery and Bon Appetit, and wrote several cookbooks. He was also the owner of top Wellington restaurant The Coachman. Before that, he was a disc jockey who entertained up to 3000 kids who would turn up to his Coca-Cola Hi-Fi Club dances in the Town Hall.

Fr Britten says his connection to the City Mission started as a restaurateur, where he would donate “bucket-loads” of his famous onion soup.

Married for 49 years to wife Lorraine and ordained a priest in 1983, he credits his wife with his renewed faith as an adult. “She said to me not long after we were married ‘you know, you used to be a lot nicer person when you used to go to church’. I said ‘Yes, I was and I’m going back tomorrow’. It just all seemed to fall into place. God’s hand was guiding me the way he wanted me to go, and we’re still going.”

Mrs Britten joined him at the mission a couple of years after he took over and worked alongside him, manning the office and writing thank-you letters.

The pair plan to visit family in Australia and then look for the next place they can serve.

“I can’t sit around doing nothing, but I don’t want to work too hard. I am 73 after all.”

By Aaron Ironside