Catering firm sells up

But same fresh produce pledge

RAVENSTONE Catering Services, renowned for proprietor Herbie Davies’s hog roasts, has been sold.

Herbie and his wife Diane, from Diggle, who set up the business in Greenfield in 1997, have decided to have an easier life and have done a deal with Chris Chadwick, from Roundthorn.

Chris, who has worked for Ravenstone for many years as a function chef, has a background in industrial and commercial catering and experience as a pastry chef.

He said: “Nothing will change except there is a new owner. We will still source local products and use local people.”

Herbie will not be lost to the local scene as he has retained his chutneys, jam and jellies range of home-cooked produce.

He said: “I am not retiring altogether, just taking life a little more easily. I will still be doing bars at outside events and be at the Uppermill farmers’ market on the second Sunday of each month.”

Ravenstone began as a trading entity when Herbie purchased the Doorstoppers Sandwich Delivery Service using the existing base at the Tanners Business Centre to develop the catering offer.

For five years Ravenstone held the catering contract at Saddleworth Golf Club, leaving only to concentrate on the growing opportunities offered by Ravenstone’s reputation for outside catering.

Herbie added: “We always had a policy for buying locally — everything was sourced from growers in Lancashire and Cheshire and Chris will do the same. The business is in good hands.”