A North Yorkshire chef who returned to her home town to set up a new concept in afternoon teas has been given a business boost by a new collaboration in Ripon.
Rosa Fothergill from Thirsk, who has spent the past decade learning her trade as a chef, including two years under Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons in Oxfordshire, decided to return to her farming roots and launch her own business, Yorkshire Tea Time, which specializes in vintage afternoon teas.
After launching the business in late 2015, providing parties as well as catering for other special occasions, Rosa has received another boost to her fledgling business by securing a regular stall at Wrens, the popular independent retailers in Ripon.
“Growing up on a farm, I was fortunate to be surrounded by good food. The farm is where my passion for creating great food started using home grown produce to create lovely jams and chutneys.”
Yorkshire Tea Time has had a stall in Wrens, Wednesday to Friday since late January and Rosa is thrilled with the success so far. “Regular customers are returning to buy my range of specialist bakes, including themed cakes and pastries for Mothers’ Day and Easter”.
Rosa has already packed a lifetime’s experience into the past ten years, launching her career at The Angel Inn in Topcliffe, before getting her first big break by joining the pastry section at Michel Roux Jnr, Le Gavroche in London where she developed and refined her skills as well as getting her first taste of Michelin star quality.
Rosa was determined to launch out on her own though and with the support of Prince’s Trust small business mentors, the Yorkshire Team Time was born. “Thanks to my training and experience I know what good food should look and taste like and I know how to deliver it. It’s still early days but I’d like to continue the family tradition of providing something a bit special and unique using the very best Yorkshire produce”.
For further information on what Yorkshire Tea Time offer, visit their website www.yorkshireteatime.co.uk