John Cadien, campaigner for disadvantaged young people

A catering manager who devoted his working life to helping disadvantaged young people in the kitchen has died suddenly, aged 56.

John Cadien, who used a wheelchair following a car accident that caused severe spinal injuries, spent 23 years as catering manager and then assistant resource manager at Widemarsh Workshop in Hereford.

The centre is for students with learning difficulties and other disabilities and Cadien's role was to develop its catering to generate extra income. He developed a small public restaurant and the centre offered catering for functions. In 1996 the centre won a National Training Award.

Cadien had recently moved to a new position at Workmatch, a charity that helps disadvantaged people gain employment.

Before his untimely death, Cadien was setting up a new charity called Chefspot, to provide training for people with learning difficulties and other disabilities and assist them in securing work in the industry.

Brian Turner, who has agreed to become a patron of Chefscope, said: "For a man who had been through such a difficult experience himself, it was incredible that John was so passionate and anxious about helping others in the catering industry."

Cadien was also a fellow of the HCIMA.

He leaves a wife, Christine, and 14-year-old daughter, Annabel.