SIR PAUL McCARTNEY is one of Doreen Dunkley's biggest fans. “He was in last week for a playback,” says the restaurant manager at Abbey Road Studios, “and we always have a chat about our families.” In her 25 years at the north London recording facility, she has seen superstars — and catering companies — come and go. When Vacherin took over in 2009, Dunkley was the first person they asked to join them. “It took them a while to get used to this place, because it never stops,” she says. “We have the restaurant and bar, service to the artists' lounges, recordings, gigs and corporate events. Sometimes a booking comes in late and you have to find extra staff in a hurry. With the previous outfit, it was, ‘Why didn't you let us know earlier?' Now I can call the operations manager and know they will help me out.” The enterprise runs 28 units in central London, with two more in the pipeline. “Each one is bespoke,” says Mark Philpott, the managing director. “Whatever the customer asks for, we provide: everything from private fine dining rooms to cafeterias. We employ fabulous people. They are artists and our role is to give them the right tools to do the job.” The respect is mutual, with members of the 265-strong workforce saying that their managers regularly praise their efforts, an 84% positive score, fifth among mid-size firms in our survey, and motivate them to give their best every day (77%, sixth). The industry is demanding, but staff don't feel under pressure (76%, third) or face unrealistic deadlines (78%, fourth). “It's a foodie company where flavour and presentation matter and that appealed to me,” says Kristy Hodgson, who has been part of the team for nine years. “I joined the relief team as a commis chef spending time in a wide variety of kitchens, because the managers understand you need to cook in different ways from one place to another.” She now runs the restaurant at management consultants Bain & Company. Vacherin encourages fundraising activities (85%). Everyone gets together every three months to raise money for Debra, the skin disease charity. www.vacherin.com
