Former army chefs launch recruitment agency for healthcare

Two former Army chefs have identified a gap in the healthcare market and set up a catering recruitment company.

Lee Coutts and Bill Johnston, co-founders of North East Chefs Recruitment, which opened for business in Darlington this week, took out a £20,000 bank loan to launch the company.

Johnston, who served in the army for 23 years, said: "There is a lack of people who know how to cook in care homes and cater for people's special dietary needs. We're skills-based, not sales-based, and when a client calls we're well aware of what they want and we will always supply them with a good employee."

The company will also provide temporary and relief catering staff to all sectors of the hospitality industry in the North-east. All grades of chefs, care home cooks, school cooks, waiting, bar and housekeeping staff, and hotel managers are recruited.