Koffmann signs consultancy deal with contract caterer

Fledgling contract caterer Everson Hewett has pulled off a coup by signing up top chef Pierre Koffmann in a consultancy deal.

Mr Koffmann, chef-patron of three Michelin-starred London restaurant La Tante Claire, will train Everson Hewett's chefs in his kitchens and will also assist the contractor with menu planning.

"Having an alliance with someone of his quality and standing in the industry is very good for us," said Stuart Everson, co-managing director of Everson Hewett.

Mr Koffmann, who will receive a retainer payment plus additional fees for work carried out, said the deal suited him because it meant he could still spend the vast majority of his time at La Tante Claire.

Mr Koffmann added that he hoped to enable the contractor's chefs to raise their standards of cooking.

The tie-up between Everson Hewett and Mr Koffmann marks the latest seal of approval for the contract industry from a big-name chef.

Earlier this year TV chef Gary Rhodes moved to work for Gardner Merchant. Mr Rhodes is overseeing Gardner Merchant's public restaurant City Rhodes, which is scheduled to open at the end of the month.

Everson Hewett was formed in December 1995 by Mr Everson and John Hewett, both former managers with Sutcliffe Catering.

It currently provides catering at the London School of Economics's Bankside House hall of residence on London's South Bank and operates a snack bar at the offices of the Highways Agency, also on the South Bank.

Further contracts include an executive lease contract to provide the catering management at the London offices of solicitors DJ Freeman and a purchasing-only deal with the Abbey Group, a London-based townhouse hotel chain.

Mr Everson said the company was on target to turn over £1.75m in its first year.