Shareen Campbell and Phil Saunter, owners of Los Gatos and Bistro Les Chats in Wood Street, and the Swindon Business People of the Year, talk about life in the restaurant business

There are many things that we love more about the work we do now than the work we did 10 years ago.

Back then, Phil was in international sales, a frequent flyer and corporate slave. Shareen was a frazzled NHS manager, deeply committed to the work but frustrated by the impossibility of doing a good job without the resources to do it. But we are free of that now and thinking about how we love what we do, despite the hard work at this time of year.

You know, food is such a pleasure-giving thing. Like all giving, it brings as much reward to the giver as to the receiver.

When you feed someone, you nourish their body and their soul. Often they are transformed in front of you, from the slightly tense, nervous, irritable and hungry customer, to the happy, soothed, relaxed and replete friend.

To be the author of this transformation is the most wonderful thing. To receive thanks for it is almost superfluous, as the pleasure really does come from watching people have fun and knowing you helped make it happen.

And so to Christmas – a time when kids come home and parents and grandparents are visited, someone takes time and trouble to cook meals for them, and the greatest Sunday lunch of the year appears on the table, (even though it’s Thursday and no-one really likes turkey...) But for many people it’s convivial, it’s a good experience, it’s a time for sharing the warm glow that comes from mutual nourishment.

Home cooks, men, women and children, all over the country will be proudly presenting their efforts and we’ll be tucking in, choking over the Christmas jokes, cheering as we set fire to our Christmas pudding and falling asleep in front of the telly.

And the cook (if someone else does the washing up) will watch and smile and proudly admire the contented, snoring results of his or her efforts.

Food is such a great bringer of joy. It's no wonder we enjoy our work. Cheers and Merry Christmas!

Note: Los Gatos Tapas Bar, 01793 488450, will be closed from 25th December to 1st January inclusive. Bistro Les Chats, 01793 527082, will be closed from 25 December to 8th January inclusive.

Los Gatos can be contacted in 01793 488450 or go to www.losgatos.co.uk.

Bistro Les Chats can be contacted on 01793 527082 or go to www.leschats.co.uk