Pie’s the limit for a Yorkshire chef

A YORKSHIRE-born entrepreneur is set to become the nation’s next local food hero following expansion of his pie business.

Anthony Sterne founded Independent Foods in 2006 with business partner Leigh Hughes after falling in love with Australian homemade pies.

Success has been quick and the firm’s pies are now available in 26 of Morrisons’ Yorkshire stores as well as Booths and regional Waitrose stores.

The former development chef at Pret A Manger has now secured £100,000 in funding from the Manchester office of City Invoice Finance to invest in new machinery to keep up with demand for the pies, which are made using the very best local ingredients.

“Our products have really taken off, but that means we need to make more of the same great quality pies,” said Mr Sterne.

“Our red onion and Wensleydale and smoked bacon and spinach quiches in particular have been flying off the shelves now that summer’s started.The factoring deal we’ve agreed with City Invoice Finance means our money isn’t tied up in invoices and we can use it to fund growth and bring on more employees.”

Andy Hume, business development manager at City Invoice Finance, said:

“Having tasted some of Independent Foods’ products, it’s no wonder it has been so successful.

“The business has a great future ahead of it and I’m looking forward to working closely with Anthony and Leigh going forward.”