John’s food is simply divine

FOOD fit for a bishop . . . John Stevenson and daughter Helen

A LOCAL businessman will be feeding body and soul after the Bishop of Manchester agreed to bless his new venture.

Entrepreneur John Stevenson first came into contact with the Rt Reverend Nigel McCulloch during his quest to visit all 323 parishes in his diocese.

Since then he has become the Bishop’s caterer of choice.

After a decade working from his Greenfield home John, along with daughter Helen and wife Jeanette, is now expanding Manns Wharf Catering and is moving into a renovated unit in Mossley.

And he will be in catering heaven when the Bishop declares it officially open.

John, (55), said: “He was the first person I thought of to come to the opening but I didn’t think it would be something he would do.

“I asked in a tongue-in-cheek way if he would say something, then I got a call saying he would love to do it. I was overwhelmed.

“He has supported us and is such a fantastic man who does a lot of good work.”

It’s a long way from where John first started his business, hiring the Friezland church hall to transform it into a restaurant for local people once a month.

High tea, scones and cakes greeted the Bishop on his first visit to Christ Church in the village as he joined churchgoers at their service.

That led to John whipping up delights for the Bishops’ global meeting in Manchester, with guests including the Bishop of Melbourne.

He even fed the Archbishops of Canterbury and York on their visit to the borough.

More recently he has served up his recipes for the Bishop of Lahore from Pakistan.

John added: “I was so nervous, you want everything to be perfect.

“We are always thrilled, honoured and excited to be able to cook for these people.

“We’re a small family business and being introduced by name to some of these really respected figures has been brilliant.

“When there’s a big celebration people always ask ‘how was the food?’, so it’s important you get that right.”

The Bishop will attend the opening of Manns Wharf Catering’s new home in Waggon Road, next month.