If you had a perfectly good job as an accountant, would you jack it all in, move 300 miles and set up a food business with your dad? Especially if your dad was a project manager and neither of you had ever worked in the food industry? And knowing full well that the two of you always squabble when you get together?

Leigh Hughes did. And against the odds, he and father Will have managed to forge a successful business in the cut-throat, big business world of food manufacture. But it�s fair to say the folks behind Deliciouslyorkshire, the Regional Food Group for Yorkshire & Humber put them on the right track.

Emma Robinson, Regional Development manager explains, �Every once in a while a new product comes along that�s so deliciously simple it becomes a regular fixture in your weekly shopping basket. But getting that product on the shelves can be an insurmountable task for small producers. Food buyers can be an elusive bunch, and most start up businesses don�t have the requisite contacts to get a foot in the door.�

�The Food Group arranges �meet the buyer events� to put producers and buyers together in a �speed dating scenario�. The Sensoni parcels were introduced to Booths and such an event and after months of negotiating, the products will hit the shelves this month.� Despite their current success, Will and Leigh admit that they were rather na�ve when they set up the business, in 2004. �Although I�d been in project management for many years and Leigh had a successful career as an accountant, we�re both passionate about food,� explains Will, �We kicked around the idea of starting up a business together for ages before we plucked up the courage to do it.�

�Looking back, we knew so little about the business. But once we�d decided to go ahead, we were put in touch with The Regional Food Group, who gave us vital feedback to develop the product, polish our retail presentations and help us win listings. The process took 2 years, because we were determined we would only launch a product we were totally happy with.�

The parcels make a refreshing change in the world of convenience food � they contain no additives or preservatives, only the best-quality, local ingredients and a taste that�s winning repeat customers hand over fist.

So just what are Sensoni Parcels? Well, they are a kind of savoury Mediterranean inspired pastry parcel with a generous pot of tomato and butternut squash pour over sauce, oven ready in 35 minutes. The butter and herb pastry is wrapped around a filling of either locally sourced braised beef, sweet chilli chicken or roasted Mediterranean vegetables. With crisp pastry and delicious fillings, the addition of the sauce makes them an excellent choice for your evening meal.

Handmade by Will and Leigh themselves in Ripon, Sensoni Parcels are perfect for lazy midweek suppers in front of the TV � a kind of convenience food with a clear conscience.

They are already stocked in various Yorkshire farm shops and retailers, including the upmarket grocer Weeton�s, they are served in the director�s box at Hull�s KC stadium and the food group has put them in touch with a Waitrose local sourcing buyer. But Will and Leigh are naturally very excited about their Booth�s listing.

Leigh said: �This is the first time we�ve done business with any of the multiples and it�s thrilling for us. It�s taken us two years to get to this position � there�s certainly been a lot to learn!�

Phil Goodwin from Booths, said: �When we tasted the Sensoni Parcels we knew our customers would love them. People are becoming more and more discerning about what�s in their food and Sensoni�s policy of using simply great quality ingredients, sourced from the North, chimes perfectly with our own philosophy.�

Leigh says the fact that they had little experienced in the food business was actually an advantage for consumers.

�We�ve approached the venture in a very fresh way,� he says, �We had to learn everything from scratch, so our methods are developed from those you�d use in your own kitchen. We wouldn�t fall back on using preservatives or additives because we only want to use natural ingredients!�

�Dad and I might argue about things day to day,� laughs Leigh, �But you can�t beat the feeling of being your own boss and making a product you can be proud of. I�ve got no regrets.�

And on those days when you simply don�t feel like cooking, kick off your shoes, sink into the sofa, tuck into a Sensoni Parcel and fresh green salad and say a small �thankyou� for people like Leigh and Will, who are crazy enough to pack in their well-paid jobs to follow a passion.

Ends

Note to editors:

Sensoni Parcels are stocked at:

Co-Op - Headingley, Garforth, Sherburn in Elmet Weetons - Harrogate Costcutter - Boston Spa Farmer Copley - Pontefract Simpsons - Leeds Seasons deli - Scarborough, Pickering Moorsfresh Booths (locations around the North East)

For more information: Jennifer Middleton at Lemon Zest 01757 268283 email jennifer@lemonzestpr.co.uk

or contact Leigh Hughes at Sensoni on 07940 935554 email leighhughes@corposant.co.uk

or Elizabeth Halsall at RFGYH on 01937 2838892 email elizabeth@rfgyh.co.uk