Kitchen manager Emma gives orders to son and daughter

Kitchen manager Emma started her Wetherspoon career as a bar associate, juggling a part-time job with raising her two young children.

That was 16 years ago in Emma’s home town at The Resolution (Middlesbrough) (now closed).

She now runs the kitchen at The Highland Laddie (Norton), with her son Jack (18) and daughter Emily (16) now both working on the pub’s kitchen team (all pictured).

Emma recalled: “My husband John (also pictured) also started as a bar associate at The Resolution 18 years ago, when I was pregnant with Jack, and was working at the pub when I joined in 2008.

“John progressed to become my pub manager there, briefly, before moving to another pub.

He is now an auditor with the company, a job he has done for the past seven or eight years.”

After The Resolution, Emma spent 10 years at The Thomas Sheraton (Stockton-on-Tees), where, after helping out in the kitchen, she progressed to kitchen shift leader.

She recalled: “We didn’t have a kitchen manager at the time, so I was running the kitchen as shift leader.

“I then moved to Norton three years ago, stepping up to kitchen manager after about six months.”

 Both Jack and Emily are currently studying for their A levels and aim to go on to university.

Jack plans to study medicine to become a doctor while Emily wants to pursue a career as a primary school teacher.

Emma said: “They both wanted jobs, while still at school, to earn their own money. It was easier for them to apply to the pub, and both were accepted after interviews.

“Jack is now cross-trained to work both kitchen and bar roles, and works in the kitchen alternate Saturdays and Sundays, swapping with Emily, so they are rarely on the same shift.”

Emma concluded: “When at home together, we try not to talk about work, yet it does naturally come up in conversation at times.

“Every day is different at work, which is what I like most about it.”