A former chef on P&O Ferries - one of the hundreds dramatically made redundant by the cross-Channel ferry firm two years ago - has taken over the catering at a leading golf club.

David Elvey, 39, from Margate, runs the restaurant at the The Clubhouse at the Westgate and Birchington Golf Club in Thanet.

It comes after he set up his own mobile catering business - Dave’s Only Food and Sauces - last year.

He had spent some 20 years with P&O Ferries, rising to the rank of head chef, before the company’s controversial decision to axe almost 800 jobs and replace them with cheap agency labour. Staff were only notified of the decision after ferries were called back into port and staff shown a video message informing them they were being let go.

He admits the experience left him “deflated” but determined to bounce back.

He explains: “I knew after I lost my job that I wanted to start my own business. I’ve been in the catering business for so long. I’ve seen people come and go throughout my career, and new management always want to change the way you do things.

“When they suggest a ‘new’ way of doing things, and you tell them we tried that 10 years ago and it didn’t work, they insist on doing it anyway. I wanted to start my own business and do things I know will work.”

Now the golf club restaurant - which is open to the public as well as members - is proving a success.

He added: “After the period of deflation after what P&O did to us it feels good to be back in the kitchen, doing what I know and what I’m good at.”

In addition to The Clubhouse restaurant, Dave’s Only Food and Sauces is also running the Half Way House, a smaller set-up selling food and drink out on the golf course.