Hospitality equipment firm's employees rewarded with afternoon tea to remember

Staff at Russums, the Rotherham based supplier of clothing and equipment to the hospitality industry, sat down to a special afternoon tea prepared by a development chef who has a history with the sixth generation family business.

The event coincided with the launch of a new birdcage plate stand that is designed specifically for afternoon tea service.

Director Richard Russum enlisted the help of Doncaster-born event catering specialist and freelance chef, David Wardle, to create a spread for the team as a thank you for their hard work.

Summer is an extremely busy time of year for the company and the afternoon tea was a great way to show our appreciation whilst testing the new plate stand, Richard said.

"We felt this was a great opportunity to reward the team after a busy summer and launch our afternoon tea birdcage stand - the pastries and savouries looked marvellous on it and I can vouch for how delicious they tasted.  

"Thank you to David who, as expected, prepared an excellent spread for us."

The afternoon tea consisted of an assortment of sweet and savoury scones, quiche, sausage rolls, macarons, sweet bakes and eclairs.

David trained at Doncaster College before working as a pastry chef at The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne. He is now a freelance development chef for clients including Birds Eye, Dr. Oetker, JLA Group and MKN equipment.

"I have a fond association with Russums, as do many chefs who remember buying their first knife set from them. I bought my first knife set and chef's uniform from them 32 years ago," he said.

"It was really nice to be asked by Richard to create special treats to reward the team who do fantastic work all year round. I think they liked the fact that it was all homemade, and we even made free-from options for those who can't tolerate gluten."

The 37cm birdcage plate stand retails at £32.40 including VAT, and comes in an aged copper finish with space for three 23cm plates. For more information, visitwww.russums.co.uk

Sixth generation family business Russums is a leading supplier of clothing and equipment to the hospitality industry, supplying chefs, restaurateurs and food service workers throughout the UK and Europe.

Ends

Photo:David Wardle and Richard Russum David Wardle and Richard Russum

For more information or to arrange an interview with Director Richard Russum or Sales and Marketing Manager John-Paul Marsden, please contact Tracey Baty at three60 marketing on:

Direct line: 01430 871360

Mobile: 07971 961574

E mail:traceybaty@three60marketing.co.uk

Web:www.three60marketing.co.uk

Notes to editors

1. Russums was established in 1830 as a brush manufacturer supplying the steel and coal industry. Post war production of lorry covers, tarpaulins and items made from canvas led to Rotherham College approaching Russums to make knife wallets for the staff and students. Such was the success of the wallets, that the College then asked them to source the knives to go in the wallets and so began the business suppling the hospitality and catering industries that Russums is known and respected for today.

2. Today, the independent business is run by the sixth-generation owners and operates its own production facilities andan industry-leading embroidery department inRotherham where it is based.

3. Russums supply chefs, food service professionals, colleges, schools and training establishments, contract caterers, cookery schools and local authorities throughout the UK and Europe with clothing, footwear, equipment, knives, tableware and books.

4. For more information about Russums, please visitwww.russums-shop.co.uk. You can also find Russums onFacebook,TwitterandGoogle Plus, and you can keep up to date with latestnews online.

5. For more information about event catering specialist and freelance chef David Wardle, please visitwww.jonathan-david.co.ukand see hisFacebookandTwitterpages.