A FOOD business run by a former RAF chef has vowed to keep cooking after being burgled earlier this week.

Richard Willis' hog roast company Swine Dining was hit by thieves on Tuesday this week.

He set up the company four years ago with help from the Royal British Legion after 24 years' service with the RAF.

He is a regular fixture at food events, private functions and festivals throughout the North-East and North Yorkshire, including Saltburn Farmers Market and Saltburn Food Festival.

Mr Willis also donates a percentage of his profits back to the Royal British Legion, which helps current and future ex-serviceman and women make a new start in civilian life.

But, in a huge blow to his business, burglars some of his vital kitchen equipment from his back yard in Errington Street, Brotton, east Cleveland, sometimes between 8am and 5pm on Tuesday.

He said: "Myself and a small team here have worked really hard to make the business work, and this is a real setback to be honest.

“However, I’ve cooked for royal functions, military banquets, and fed more than 1,700 people every mealtime in the heat of the second Gulf War, so I’m determined not to let something like this beat me. ]

"The show goes on and, one way or another, with the help of friends, colleagues and family, we’ll still be at all our regular events and won’t miss anything because of this.

“Given the size of the equipment involved, it must have been more than one person and a van involved in the theft, and it’s really no use to anyone other than scrap value.

“I’ve been in touch with all the local scrap dealers to make them aware of what’s happened, and the Police have been informed and are checking CCTV of local roads right at this very minute."

He said the news was also spreading on social media which would make it difficult for thieves to sell the equipment on, and asked for anyone with the equipment to return it, with no questions asked if necessary.

Anyone with information can call Cleveland Police on 101 or Mr Willis directly on 07794 095894.