SUECO Outside Catering is celebrating 25 years as a family business this year with an open evening on Wednesday. The company has been creating food for clients and organising catering events since Peter Yates and Sue Wilson founded it in 1982 with a small mobile catering van, which operated from the kitchen of the former Wyndhams Hotel.

Paul Wilson, who joined in 1991 as executive head chef, is now also a co-owner.

This year has also seen Mr Yates’ and Mrs Wilson’s daughter, Merrilee, and her husband, Hugh Tabel, return to live in Guernsey and join the company, another reason for celebration, according to Mr Yates.

‘We were both very pleased when both Merrilee and Hugh decided to join the team – as it secures Sueco as a family business for the next 25 years.’

Mrs Tabel will be working alongside Mrs Wilson in marketing, bringing new ideas and concepts to food design and styling of events. She said she had always had a passion for food and took an active interest in the business.

‘It is important to me that Sueco remains at the cutting edge of food fashion while at the same time continuing to provide excellent service and value for money’

Mr Tabel will work alongside Mr Yates looking after the company’s administration and overseeing events.

Mr Wilson will continue to oversee the team in the kitchen, but in a new role as a consultant as he takes on a different challenge as a catering lecturer at the College of Further Education.

‘I have now reached a stage and created such a team around me where I feel confident to branch out into lecturing.’

Head chef Stewart Anderson now has the task of maintaining the high standards and keeping Sueco ahead of it competitors.

‘I am really excited about this opportunity. I have worked along side Paul for 10 years and I am definitely ready to make my mark on this very successful catering business’.

Mr Yates said he was very optimistic about the future for Sueco, especially with the investment in a state-of-the-art marquee on the Icart cliffs for summer functions.

* The open evening for the public, including wine tasting and canapes, is in the marquee and takes place between 5.30 and 8pm.