A dessert delivery service starts in Rutland this weekend.

Orders are now being taken at 'The Rutland Chef', which is run by 26-year-old Sam Reilly of Oakham.

Sam told Nub News: "I am a trained professional chef, who has always enjoyed the dessert side of the industry.

"I studied for 3 years at New College Stamford where my passion blossomed. During my last year at college I managed to get a part time kitchen assistant job at The Olive Branch in Clipsham, where I got to experience how a professional kitchen operates.

"I worked there for 5 years learning from some amazing chefs and during my last year I got promoted to Head Chef.

"My most recent job was for The White Horse a country pub at Empingham on the edge of Rutland Water, where I was the Head Chef creating simple, hearty dishes focusing on flavour and presentation.

"I have also been fortunate enough to gain some work experience with Gordon Ramsey Petrus, Hambleton bakery and Hambleton Hall."

However, Sam says the landlady of the White Horse closed the pub in January, but it gave him and his wife Mary, 25, the opportunity to fulfil a long-held ambition of running their own business.

The couple met at New College Stamford and also worked at Olive Branch.

During lockdown, Sam refined his recipes and he created the website for the business. Already he has some orders in time for this weekend's first delivery. Delivery will be every saturday and Sunday.

Sam said: "We have always had a sweet tooth. We have always enjoyed making desserts.

"During my time cooking I have collected and produced some truly flavoursome desserts, always adapting and testing recipes to get the best possible result, and I think it is about time you all get to taste them."

Sam and Mary will also be offering cakes, tarts, confectionery and dog biscuits.

Sam said: "We offer handmade individual cakes and tarts for you and your family to enjoy as a treat or if you wanted to treat someone else you know as a surprise.

"We also make confectionery from marshmallows to fruit pastilles, which is perfect for a gift or a birthday party or even as a little treat for movie night.

"The tarts and cake flavours will change through out the seasons to enjoy the British ingredients we have to offer.

"Treats should be for the whole family, so we handmake dog biscuits for your fluffy family member."

Sam says the couple have bought dog biscuits for their dog and this gave them the idea to make them for their own dog, before deciding to share the recipe with others.

He added: "Everyone loves a handmade dog biscuit."

"Our taste tester is Millie, our rescue Staffy who absolutely loves peanut butter…who can blame her?"