Chef's recipe for a bright future

Garfield Holder's business is launched on Friday

A man who turned his life around after years of serial offending and addiction to drugs is launching his own Caribbean catering business in Devon.

Garfield Holder, 34, lost his partner and their unborn child in a car crash 12 years ago and started using drugs.

He served several periods in prison before moving from London to Plymouth to get help for his addictions.

He ran a community kitchen in the city and came up with the idea of Caribbean Dutchpot which is launched on Friday.

"I would always watch my mum cooking at home and loved the smell of all the spices she used," he said.

"When I came to Plymouth I was on my own, she had always made my meals, but now I had to start. My friends loved my food, so my interest in cooking just grew and grew."

With help from Broadreach house and Ocean Quay in Plymouth Mr Holder tackled his addiction and turned to the Progress2work team at Working Links in Plymouth to plan his future.

Staying clean is the most important thing Garfield Holder

The programme specialises in supporting people with previous drug misuse problems to find work.

He has also been helped by Fata He, an organisation which provided funding for rent and ingredients when he ran the community kitchen.

Ossie Glover from Fata He - which aims to redress inequalities for black and ethnic minority people in Plymouth - recently asked him to visit Exeter Prison to speak to prisoners about turning his life around.

"Staying clean is the most important thing," said Mr Holder.

"I want to keep moving forward with my business plans and bring some Caribbean sunshine to the people of Plymouth with my cooking."