Cumbrian food leaders Cranstons have recruited a former bakery and café owner who has been given the enviable task of creating more delicious recipes in the Penrith-based company’s development kitchen.

Naomi Morgan has joined their product development team after selling her own renowned cafe and bakery in Rutland last year and relocating with her husband and two children to the Eden town.

She brings to Cranstons a wealth of bakery and cookery experience having developed recipes for both her own business and for several big ingredient companies. With a love of the outdoors and having holidayed frequently in the area they have made it a permanent home while Naomi is looking to further develop her passion for great food.

She said: “I wanted to work for a company that really cares about using the best local produce and looking after the environment. Cranstons has an amazing team of skilled butchers and cooks that I really admire. When we were on holidays we used to always visit the Food hall and stock up on delicious sausages and the best bacon I’ve ever tried. I can’t believe my luck.

“I am really excited about my new role, working with such a dedicated skilled team and quality local ingredients is every product developers dream job. I want our customers to continue to feel great about the products they are buying, and for the kitchen to feel proud creating them.”

She is currently working on a range of ready meals, cooked fresh by the kitchen team from scratch using Cranstons local produce and whole ingredients. She is also busy trialling a new vegetarian sausage roll which combines spinach, feta, fresh dill, mint and bulgur wheat.

Cranstons manager Martin Jones said: “Naomi is working closely with our butchers and cooks using their expertise to develop new products.”