In Dorset we are extremely lucky to have a vast choice of hotels and restaurants. In fact, the hospitality industry is prevalent and with a prosperous food supply on our doorstep it’s a delight to see local businesses tapping into local resources and utilising fresh, seasonal produce that should be showcased, and rightly so.

This year, Beales Gourmet celebrates its 12th anniversary and indeed shares this ethos for local, seasonal and sustainable food.

Managing director, Tony Beales, is passionate about the service industry. With a team focussed on delivering the most spectacular food and service, they strive to exceed the highest of expectations by using the best ingredients.

Founded by Tony Beales in 2005, Beales Gourmet provides a diverse catering service to the Dorset and Hampshire area.

The company’s ethos and focus is entirely on quality. Over the last 12 years they have catered for a variety of events including fine dining dinner parties through to glamorous garden parties, awards dinners, large corporate launches and weddings. This year, the team will be catering at Upton House music festival, Sandbanks Beach Polo Championships, and VIP catering for Olly Murs concerts.

Beales Gourmet is not only the exclusive in-house caterer and overall manager at The Italian Villa (named best UK Wedding Venue of the Year, 2016) it is also the catering partner at some of the region’s most prestigious venues. Furthermore, the company was officially named Best Caterer at the Dorset Wedding Supplier Awards, 2016.

Tony boasts a diverse background having trained at Bournemouth and Poole College in 1989 and worked in London at establishments such as Harrods, Hyatt Carlton Towers and Anton Mossiman’s outside catering division.

It was in London that Tony won the Academy Culinaire Award of Excellence – equivalent to young chef of the year. He continued his training at L’Abbey de Saint Croix, a two Michelin-starred restaurant in Provence, then went on to work in the south of France for 10 years, catering on private yachts.

Tony said: “It took me three years to set the company up but within five years I was turning over £1 million profit. The hardest thing was the early stages; putting every single bit of profit that we made back in, it was hard work. You have to believe in yourself, give 100 per cent and grow it slowly.

“I’ve exceeded where I thought the company might go and I feel very lucky. I always have that desire and passion to go above and beyond, I can’t help it. I’m never sitting back, I’m that kind of person. The quality of the food and service cannot be diluted. I still get in the kitchen and use my creative skills which is what I love doing the most and I don’t think I’ll ever stop doing that.”

It’s Tony’s mission to use seasonal, local produce to enable them to offer quality products whilst also lightening their carbon footprint as their goods needn’t be flown in from all over the world.

“I wouldn’t have a business of this grandeur without my brilliant team around me. A team that share my passion for the industry,” said Tony.

Key staff members include; head chef Sonel Gulbahar, operations manager Drew Illman, Italian Villa events manager Nicola Langley, and commercial manager Justin Cohen.

“I’m also looking to work with Bournemouth and Poole College to train students on apprenticeships and work with local schools. I’d love to get young people interested and excited about working in the hospitality industry and encourage school leavers to not dismiss the idea of going into hospitality.”

Tony is a devoted father and husband, as he explains: “I’m very proud and happy with the business. I’ve got a good work-life balance now so I get to see my wife and children, which is very important to me.

“My wife Molly is the backbone of the business - behind every good man is a better women! Not only does she look after our children and home life, but she also runs health and safety and HR for the business so she has an extremely busy life.”

So what’s in store for the next dozen years? With such an honest, positive and proactive approach to everything Tony puts his mind to, Beales Gourmet will surely stay at the top and this unique Italian venue is certainly special as it’s unlike anywhere else in the country.

Beales Gourmet are hosting a Corporate Open Day at The Italian Villa, Compton Acres on May 3, 12.30pm until 2.30pm - if you wish to attend, please email justin@bealesgourmet.com.

•           www.bealesgourmet.com / 01202 700992