Malton Relish

Following on with our entrepreneurial theme, Sophie Legard opened the doors to her new delicatessen and catering business on 12th December and we went to visit her a few days later to find out how she was getting on.

Previously, she worked as a cook at a local prep school but had always dreamt of opening her own deli. It turned out that a nasty broken arm and some time off work to recuperate was the impetus she needed to bite the bullet and follow her dream. Having lived and worked around Malton for a long time, and finding that she always had to drive to York to get any slightly unusual products, she decided that there was a definite need for a shop like hers in the area and that she had the knowledge and connections to do it. She had also found the perfect location in a beautiful old building in Malton’s Market Place.

Sophie’s new shop: Malton Relish

Things seem to be going really well. She sent out 350 invitations to her opening night thinking only about 100 would turn up, but found that over the course of the evening more that 200 people had squeezed through the doors to come and take a look. In the run up to Christmas, with its beautiful decorations and a giant gingerbread house, it was the perfect shop to get in the festive spirit (and buy a few stocking fillers).

Two Sophies:  Sophie Legard on the right and her friend Sophie

As well as sourcing rare meats, cheeses, wines and other goodies from around the world, she specialises in making ready-made “spoil yourself” dinners and wholesome children’s meals using fresh, local produce. She’ll cater for large dinner parties and, if you want to make a romantic gesture, you can buy or hire a basket from her with all the essentials for a champagne breakfast.

At the moment, she is only using one floor of a three-story building and has great plans as to how she can develop her business, both on site and online. If you’re passing through Malton, it is well worth popping in.

Malton Relish
58 Market Place
Malton
YO17 7LW
www.maltonrelish.co.uk (available in 2008)