FSB Member Stories: Anne Lambelin and Gary McDonnell, Empty Plates Catering Services

FSB Member Story 31 Oct 2022

From ‘rock and roll chef’ to running an event catering business and relief chef agency, Gary and Anne take us behind the scenes of running their catering and hospitality business.

Anne Lambelin and Gary McDonnell are the duo behind Empty Plates Catering Services, a relief chef agency and event catering businesses operating across North West England. They specialise in placing chefs and catering staff in hotels and restaurants in establishments in Lancashire.

Having worked in the hospitality and catering industry for over 25 years, Gary started the business back in 2000 after receiving requests for outside catering. “Along the way, I was asked to cater for the residents of a building in their little cafe. I then ended up taking on another cafe, but within the building of a company's Head Office. As I was asked more and more about the supply of chefs in kitchens, our little company moved completely over to that,” said Gary.

Anne currently volunteers as an Area Lead for FSB Greater Manchester.

Want support for your business like Anne and Gary? Join the Federation of Small Businesses today.

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