BOLTON businesswoman Meena Pathak has been awarded the OBE.

Mrs Pathak, who is one of Britain's most successful Asian entrepreneurs, visited Buckingham Palace to receive the accolade from the Queen.

Mrs Pathak and her husband Kirit, who live in Heaton, are co-directors of Patak (Spices) Ltd of Haydock.

Their authentic Indian foods are supplied to more than 90 per cent of the UK's Indian restaurants and there is also a flourishing market overseas.

Mrs Pathak is described as the "gourmet genius" behind the creative recipes which have boosted sales to more than 40 countries.

She and her husband run a £30 million business -- established in the 1950s -- which has led to them figuring in national "rich" lists.

The firm has grown into a successful Indian food manufacturing business with more than 400 employees and three plants.

Mrs Pathak is a committee member of the Food Council and takes a keen interest in race relations issues.

In October 1999, she won the Woman of the Year category in the Asian Marketing Group's GG2 Leadership & Diversity Awards.