Mr Jones had been head chef at the Ferguson Fawsitt Arms, Walkington, near Beverley, since 1984. It was there that he cooked for the Princess Royal, who was visiting to help celebrate the 150th anniversary of its owner, the William Jackson Food Group.

He was born in July, 1947, in Wold Road, Hull, to Leonard Vincent and Mary Amelia Jones. His father was a cabinet maker who later worked on the construction of the Humber Bridge through to its completion in 1981.

Mr Jones attended St Wilfrid's School, leaving at 15 in 1962. His report remarked that "Terence shows considerable intelligence".

The following year he started work as a trainee cook at the Haversnack Café, Beverley, before beginning an apprenticeship at the Beverley Arms Hotel in 1964.

In 1967 Mr Jones secured his first head chef role at The Lawns, Cottingham, before moving on to the Pipe and Glass, Dalton, a year later, where he stayed for 10 years. He took up the role of assistant manager at the Market Cross, Beverley, in 1978 before moving to the Ferguson Fawsitt Arms, known as "Fergies".

His passion for food was appreciated by his customers and his family alike. At home he favoured simple traditional cuisine with game pie and his own dessert creation, raspberry gratin, both family favourites.

Colleagues and friends knew him as an exuberant character and practical joker.

A loving son, he visited his mother without fail every Friday. His children remember a spirited father who loved dancing, particularly the jive, and had a competitive nature. His willingness to try new things extended to home-brewing beer and discovering a love of computing.

Mr Jones met his wife, Jenny, at Fergies and they married in 1990. A devoted husband, he settled down to a relaxing life of growing vegetables, bowling and gardening. The couple opened their garden every year to the public to raise money for a local church.

He nursed his wife through many years of illness but she lost her battle with cancer in 2007. He died on September 16 following a massive stroke.

Mr Jones leaves two sons, David and Owen, a daughter, Paula, and stepdaughter, Jane. The funeral was in Walkington on Thursday.