Chef Michael Caines has given up his consultancy work with food service company Baxter & Platts to concentrate on his expanding restaurant and hotel portfolio.
Caines became consultant chef to Compass-owned Baxter & Platts in 2000 having signed a contract to work for the company for 25 days a year. He assisted at key client tenders and launches, worked alongside the Baxter & Platts team at events such as Hotelympia and helped train staff.
But, after buying the Royal Clarence hotel in Exeter last year, Caines and co-owner Andrew Brownsword have been busy with a £1m refurbishment programme to transform the property into a boutique hotel. Caines is also the two-Michelin-starred chef-director of Gidleigh Park in Chagford, Devon, and has another restaurant at the Bristol Royal Marriott hotel.
Caines said: "It wasn't fair if I pretended to try and continue the work. It wouldn't have been a good use of my time or the best use of their money."
Baxter & Platts confirmed the relationship was unfeasible due to Caines's busy work schedule, but both parties stressed the split was amicable.
A statement from Baxter & Platts said: "Michael and Baxter & Platts will continue to work together on ad hoc projects where there is an opportunity for both parties, and this is as a result of the excellent working relationship established by Michael over many years with the Baxter & Platts team."
Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 27 May - 2 June 2004