The Oak, Kelsall, Cheshire

Outside catering company Affluent Affairs was launched in 2001 by Steve Cooper and Max Baker, both former conference and banqueting managers, with the pair borrowing premises for food preparation and storing equipment in their homes. When the lease of their local pub came up for sale, Steve and Max jumped at the chance to buy it as a base for their catering company. The pair established a food operation in the pub, which soon became a cash-cow for their catering firm. Success in a small city pub led to the acquisition of a much larger country pub, the Oak, which opened in August 2005. The pub's makeover allowed the duo to design and equip its kitchen to cope with the pub's food operation as well as the outside catering business. Affluent Affairs specialises in bespoke menus tailored individually to each event, with an emphasis on fresh, local produce — a philosophy echoed on the pub's menu. Both Steve and Max were experienced and confident in outside catering, but running a business presented the pair with their steepest learning curve. Steve says: "The trick is to know your market and to focus on that target customer-base. Don't be tempted to spread yourself too thinly."