Peter James Pitham (9 Jul 1955 - 27 Feb 2022)

In loving memory of Peter James Pitham who sadly passed away on 27th February 2022

There are not enough words to fully express our heartfelt thanks for your kind words of comfort, love and support which you have extended during this difficult time.

Thank you to all who attended Peter's Celebration of Life and for those who could not be there, these are the tributes read at the service.

“Peter’s Life” read by Russell Marlow

I am heartbroken by the loss of my brother-in law Peter but feel privileged to have the opportunity to speak on behalf of Sally and many others to reflect on his life with you all today.
On 9th July 1955 Peter James Pitham was born in London to Joyce and Sid and was a baby brother for John. When Peter was 2 and a half the family left the smog of London for greener Kent and set up home in Sheen Road Orpington. Many childhood holidays were had from Orpington with camping weekends in a farmer’s field in Pegwell Bay with Peter spending hours on the beach at Joss Bay.
The highlight for Peters 8th birthday was a family holiday in the south of France. A long drive for Peter’s father with the tent on the roof and Mum, Dad, John, his girlfriend Jackie, and Peter in the car. They camped on the Beach at St Tropez where Peter learnt his first French words:- Un cornet de glass s’il vous plait. This adventurous holiday must have given Peter his appetite to enjoy many holidays in his adult life. He ventured to the Algarve when many of the roads were still dirt tracks with the only roundabout being a tyre in the road. The Algarve featured in many holiday photos over the years and created some very memorable times with family and friends. It was here that the crisp sandwich and a glass of mateus rosé was a good lunch! Greece and France were other favourite destinations including boating holidays on the French canals and once ending up on the Petit Rhône River with their “Noddy Boat” passing Ocean going liners. Peter’s fascination with Egypt and archaeology was nurtured by his first wife, Brenda. Peter retained his interest in all things ancient and was planning a sponsored walk along the 2000-year-old Appian Way from Rome to Capua.
When Peter was 12, he had a newspaper round using his push bike and later a Saturday job at a shoe shop in Bromley so started his selling career very early on. In his early teens Peter was encouraged by his father to have boxing lessons. He did quite well and won a number of fights until his scheduled opponent did not turn up for a match so Peter had to fight a very experienced lad who was 3 years older. The ref stopped the fight after a few rounds with Peter coming off second best. Peter hung up his gloves!
There were regular trips back to London to visit family and he was especially fond of his nanny Peg who inspired Peter’s first thoughts for cooking as he loved her homemade dishes especially her Steak and Kidney Pudding.
Their Uncle John took time to teach Peter and John to coarse fish, a love which later lead to fly fishing. Peter was also very fond of Uncle John’s wife Sylvia who called Peter the Little Fella. Peter took his friends on the red rover bus from Orpington to Hackney turning up on John and Sylvia’s doorstep. Sylvia cooked a slap up meal of ham egg and chips for all – Maybe that’s why one of Peter’s favourite pub meals was just that.
It was Peter’s brother who introduced him to darts (and bitter & barley wine) and at the age of 15 Peter played in John’s local Seven Stiles Pub’s team (The licensing laws were not as strict in 1970). This talent paved the way for Peter to improve on his skills making headlines in the BP news in 1975 with his B team thrashing the A team. Peter later went on to become the BP National Darts Champion of the year in 1981.
Brother John was instrumental in Peter’s life in many ways. Already a chef at BP - British Petroleum he challenged Peter to cook a steak to perfection in the family kitchen and if he did this successfully, he felt Peter could apply for one of the very limited apprenticeship places at BP. Peter was successful in both the cooking of the steak and the application for the apprenticeship.
The brothers commuted together to London each day by car. On Peter’s 17th birthday he put the L plates on and drove to and from London to practice for his test which was 2 weeks later – He passed first time! One day they got caught in a long stationary queue at the Blackwall Tunnel so the boys decided to pop into the pub adjacent to the tunnel. A while later when they looked out to see the state of the traffic John’s lonely car was being circumnavigated by the rush hour traffic!
Peter’s father was a great engineer who passed on knowledge to Peter and when there was a major problem with Peter’s first car, a Ford Anglia Prefect, Dad encouraged Peter to completely strip the engine and rebuild it. Lessons for which Peter was eternally grateful. Peter’s skills for improvising car repairs were amazing and included using clingfilm for a temporary repair to the wheel bearing to drive 300 miles.
Peter and John inherited their mother’s fun nature and although John was 7 years Peter’s senior they both got up to harmless fun and mischief. Peter was a quick thinker and would seize opportunities to wind people up for all to have a laugh. John taught Peter a lesson about hangovers after Peter had arrived home one night too drunk to let himself inside the front door so slept under the front hedge……when John came to collect him the next morning, he realised a pair of legs were protruding from the hedge. John got him in the car, took Peter into work and put him in the cold shower, returning after a while when Peter had turned blue but was sober and never did that again!
Peter spent 15 years with BP. Once he completed his apprenticeship he continued to study and progressed from the kitchen into managerial roles. While at BP he co-partnered in the food preparation and organisation for over 2000 people over 3 days at Monsters of Rock concert held at Donnington Park Motor racing circuit with very little sleep over 72 hours!
While at BP he also worked in the kitchens of the Bull Pub at Chislehurst and at Cherry Lodge Golf Club
In 1985 Peter joined Croydon based Catering By County where he turned the under achieving Special Events department round smashing high targets and successfully running the busy department. Being promoted to Special Events Area Manager only fuelled Peter’s thirst for success and he was subsequently promoted to Business Development Manager. It was here that Peter and Ian Boyd-Stevenson met and now I will share with you a few of Ian’s thoughts and memories:-
Peter always said that Ian was his mentor, and their friendship developed. Ian recognised Peter’s skills and ability in sales which he nurtured and helped Peter to develop. Ian was instrumental in Peter’s next career move to Gardner Merchant where Peter became top salesman of the year several years running and received the accolades and rewards he deserved. They were both traditional chefs advocating Repertoire de la Cuisine and would banter regularly about cooking techniques, even if they could not agree about the virtues of cooking in a water bath.
Ian is missing Peter greatly and realises that they have had their last boy’s weekend in France and there will be no more trips to Brico Depot together to get more DIY materials or another gadget or two! Peter’s legendary joke telling will be no more. Peter was a big part of Ian and his wife Niccola’s lives, they treasure their long friendship, and their happy memories will live on forever.
Following Peter’s successful time at Gardner Merchant – which then became Sodexho, he took the role of National Sales and Marketing Director at Baxter and Platts then onto Yes Dining as Regional Director.
Peter was forever grateful for the opportunities and experience which the catering industry especially BP had given him, but in fact he had contributed so much himself to the industry including his skills, loyalty, drive and determination to succeed. He also had boundless energy, enthusiasm and passion and was always thinking of new ventures and projects.
Increasingly, Peter saw the need for a different approach in catering consultancy and with this in mind, 20 years ago he and Sally established the very successful Catering Consultancy Bureau. In Peter’s words, he “turned from Poacher to Gamekeeper”.
Peter was a member of the prestigious Réunion des Gastronomes, a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality and Chairman of the Hospitality Network Group also a previous Executive Board member of the FCSI.
Peter had a very wide range of hobbies over the years, mostly those which involved the need to purchase equipment to pursue the activity.
The thrill of riding motorbikes and enjoying the sport got him involved with Marshalling voluntarily for Bemsee which meant that he could see high standard motorbike racing from trackside! He was a good rider having had several track days and loved his trip to Le Mans on his Triumph Daytona.
He played golf in the 80’s and 90’s and never lost his talent, this being proved when he picked up a set of golf clubs in South Africa after a 20 year break and hit like a pro.
Rugby was also a great passion for Peter and he always looked forward to watching the 6 nations championships with Sally.
Peter usually had a DIY project on the go which gave him another excuse to buy the right tools for the job including a cement mixer.
For the past 30 years Peter has been a member of Chelsfield lodge. He participated at Lodge meetings and enjoyed many of the social events with close friends.
In 2008 Peter and Sally were invited by Ian and Niccola to stay at their French retreat and it was not long before Peter succumbed to the stunning beauty of the Languedoc region where he and Sally created a special holiday home. Together they welcomed many family and friends who all assisted in sampling the local wines, Peter’s infamous barbecued delights and great hospitality.
Peter and Sally had known each other for quite sometime. They started off as just good friends and in time they realised that life was just not the same if they were parted. It then struck them that they truly loved each other. They felt incredibly alive when together and knew that with the wisdom and courage of two they could face any situation and get over any hurt and disappointments together. On 1st June 2012 they took their marriage vows and looked forward to walking through life holding hands, laughing together about the silly things and discussing the big things with care and tenderness. Peter used to wonder what he had done to deserve such a special lady as Sally and Sally knows that Peter was the best thing that ever happened to her.
There are so many things for which Peter will be remembered, along with his repertoire of jokes, stories and Pitham catchphrases, he was such an amazing person, a true gentleman with unique qualities who enjoyed life to the full. A dedicated, genuine and caring friend and colleague, hugely experienced, extremely professional, highly respected. A kind and generous man who was the perfect host who always made time to offer help and advice to all when needed. He showed his appreciation and never failed to thank people. Now we would all like to say Thank you Peter for being a big part of all our lives and for being you.
In his immortal words “Job Done”

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“Old Friends” read by Phil Monk

I have had the joy of knowing Peter Pitham or Piff or Piffy for 50 + years.

It is very strange why we became friends as we are so very different. Both of us came from loving families in different parts of Orpington & attended different Secondary Modern schools. We were introduced by Eric Stone when Piff and Eric were apprentices at BP.

Piff was a quasi-Skin Head loving the dress code. The razor sharpe creases in his strides & starched collars that nearly cut his throat.

Me, curly hair to my shoulders, jeans & a pull-over.

Piff loved Reggae & Tamla Motown Music.

Me, Heavy Rock.

Piff loved his motor-bike; the speed & being open to the weather.

Me, at least four wheels, preferably driven by a professional.

Piff loved pub games. Winning the British Petroleum national Darts tournament. Playing cards on a Friday night against his brother John at the Kent Hounds Pub.

Me Football & Cricket.

Piff was always pushing himself to improve. Joining many Evening Classes with our other great friend Peter Ward. Enrolling in Carpentry, Photography, Indian Cooking etc

Me I joined them for a beer after class.

Piff always willing to challenge his skills, taking on major projects from car repairs to house improvements.

Me, pay to get someone in.

Piff loved a number of sports such as fishing, golf & swimming. Always having professional lessons to make sure he was the best.

Many an hour spent by the Sea, Rivers & Lakes. Whilst Piff changed from float, to ledger, to fly, to outwit the fish.

Me sitting with my rod in the water, praying nothing would happen because I would have to do something. Piff was always at hand should a fish decide to commit hari-kari.

Piff loved a “gadget” always purchasing something that would make his life more efficient & improved. Many hours reading so many manuals. He was amazed that I did not find an “App” to exit an Underground Station useful.

Me, I have just obtained an Android phone, still puzzled how to switch it on.

So what made our friendship so strong & long lasting?

We both shared a very silly sense of humour, loving Inspector Clouseau etc. Re-telling the same old jokes & anecdotes over & over again, to the pain of our partners.

Our love of food & drink, especially BBQ’s. We attended a number of courses, with Piff always teaching the Trainers how to improve. He never charged them.

Piff loved Dinner parties at other peoples homes. He appreciated the effort being made by the Host but was always willing to turn up at the key moment to help out, if requested.

Many a night we have sat out under the stars, litres of Southern Comfort & ciggies, sorting out the world problems. Well at least the Tottenham Hotspurs' back four.

We spent so many hours at each others homes, holidays in the UK, Europe & North America.

A big hole is now in Joanne’s & my life. Hopefully Sally will continue to be with us on our future adventures.

Thanks Mate for so many years of happiness.

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“Uncle Peter” read by Tony Pitham

I am honoured to speak about my dear Uncle Peter today.

Peter had an amazing life. He grabbed the Bull by the horns, set goals and made things happen. This is why he was a successful entrepreneur in the catering industry and devoted husband to Sally.

My Mother Jackie Pitham met Peter when he was only 7 and her earliest memories are of a grubby, cheeky, vibrant young lad who she says turned into a “Really nice chap”. John my late Father, Peter’s brother was very proud of his younger sibling and would have been prouder of the man he had become.
My sister Julie and I have very happy memories of Uncle P with our favorite Uncle always providing the best Christmas presents and he had an uncanny talent for mesmerising us kids with his tricks, gift of the gab and imaginative story telling. We remember he was the first to have all the latest exciting gadgets in the 80's, electric can opener etc, the best hifi.......in fact I think he even made the speakers for his hi-fi. The excitement of seeing if there were babies in his many bird boxes which in later years he was able to put wifi cameras in so we could see nature at its best.

Our kids Jocelyn, James, Aria, Kaya and Johnny thought the world of their Uncle Peter especially when he used to magically pull money out of their ears and help them making pizzas at one of the many BBQs.
Joss and James will remember amazing Christmas Dinners in mid December with Santa calling to tell the kids they can open their presents early!! Funnily enough Santa’s voice was very similar to Uncle Peters!! He had a real way with us ….. Thank you Uncle Peter….. Enjoy a Gold watch in the sky with your Brother and Dad & a snowball with your Mum.

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Poem:
“The Light Shines On”
Our loved ones leave behind a light
That will never dim or fade
It’s kept bright by the love we feel
And the memories we made

It can warm us like a candle’s glow
And help bring comfort too
And no matter where you go you’ll find
It’s always close to you

And in the darkest times remember
In our hearts their light is strong
So every time we think of them
Their memory shines on.