A HERB growing venture founded by a North Yorkshire chef who struggled to find fresh ingredients is celebrating 25 years in business.

Herbs Unlimited, based a Sand Hutton, near Thirsk, now employs a team of 45 permanent staff, and turns over £4 million.

The company grows traditional and speciality herbs alongside salads and edible flowers on its 92-acre farm, supplying the catering, hospitality, food processing and retail sectors.

Founded by chef Alison Dodd in 1992, Herbs Unlimited celebrated its anniversary by hosting an open day for chefs and food companies from around the UK.

The open day was designed to celebrate the versatility of herbs and edible flowers and inspire chefs. Following a tour of the farm and its extensive greenhouses, award-winning chef Stephanie Moon produced themed canapes highlighting the many ways to use the fresh herbs and flowers grown on the farm.

Herbs Unlimited’s managing director Alison Dodd said: “I started the company back in 1992 because the fresh herbs I wanted for my dishes were hard to come by at that time.

“One of our earliest customers was Cranswick plc, now a leading UK food producer, and I’m delighted that we have grown with them and they remain a customer to this day.

“A business like ours can never stand still and we’re constantly innovating and investing in both equipment and staff to maximise market opportunities.

“While Brexit has brought uncertainty to the market, it has also brought a renewed interest in sourcing from the UK and supporting British and Yorkshire farming and we are well placed to make the most of that.”

As well as its 45 year round staff the businesses employs seasonal harvesting workers in busy summer months. It operates its own fleet of chilled delivery vans to distribute its products throughout the country to customers which included Yorkshire Provender, Eat and TCS

Last year the company, which grows lemon verbena, eight different types of mint, lovage, hyssop, green and bronze fennel, invested £200,000 in new equipment to meet demand from customers following a rise in the popularity of fresh herbs and edible flowers. The investment in the production line machinery allowed the business to extend its operations ever further. The company has also invested in a second tranche of solar panels.

Ms Dodd said: “We supply our products to many food manufacturers and the hospitality sector. Interest in fresh herbs has grown tremendously but we can’t afford to stand still.”