AS one kitchen door closes, another opens for Huntingdonshire businesses. Ramsey Outside Caterers did its final job on Friday – a sixth formers school prom at the St Ivo leisure centre – after 45 years and three generations in business. But new to the ca

AS one kitchen door closes, another opens for Huntingdonshire businesses.

Ramsey Outside Caterers did its final job on Friday - a sixth formers' school prom at the St Ivo leisure centre - after 45 years and three generations in business.

But new to the catering scene is Fenstanton-based Chef de la Maison, offering catering services to businesses across Huntingdonshire.

Kathy Munsey, who has worked for the Ramsey company for 35 years - and combines it with a full-time catering job at RAF Wyton, said: "It's such a shame after all these years. The firm did the catering for my wedding, which will be 42 years ago next March.

"But brides don't get married as they used to, and people don't have dinner dances."

The company was founded by Jim Quinton, who passed control to his son-in-law Norman Cox and then his grandson Peter Cox, Mrs Munsey said.

Two other employees have been there even longer than she - 83-year-old Mary Vernells with more than 40 years' service and her sister Betty Parnell, 73, who has been there nearly as long.

The Fenstanton business is the fourth branch of a company founded by classically-trained French chef Nathan Higgins.

In addition to its Peterborough headquarters, the company also has outlets for its corporate catering in Cambridge and Market Deeping, Lincolnshire.

It specialises in catering for companies, and the Fenstanton operation plans to move into special-occasion catering in September. It will also launch its "corporate club", a loyalty scheme offering clients a range of discounts.

"Basically, the more you use us the more you save," Mr Higgins said.

The company's reputation is based on quality food, well-presented and delivered in refrigerated vans.

"It's an exclusive brand - up-market, but competitive - and very good value. That's why we have been able to grow, even though we struggled a bit for a couple of years as we developed our reputation after we launched in 1998."

INFORMATION: Chef de la Maison is on 01733 332122 and 01480 465498 and www.chefdelamaison.co.uk/.