HE has already been a finalist in the Takeaway Of The Year category of BBC Radio 4's prestigious Food and Farming Awards.

Now chef Mark Innes is pitching for his four-year-old venture, I-EAT-T in Gladstone Street, Acomb, to become the Small Business Of The Year in The Press Business Awards, 2007.

What attracted his customers, who nominated I-EAT-T for the radio award, was a mouthwateringly different menu consisting of fresh, wholesome, mostly local food.

It is definitely a takeaway - no tables and chairs here at what used to be a fish and chip shop, but to those who want to impress guests at a dinner party or who have burned the Sunday roast, he is the culinary emergency service.

For instance latest menu - and they change monthly using what is seasonal - offers pheasant risotto (locally shot pheasant, filled with black pudding then pan-fried wrapped in bacon and served on a creamy Porcini and fresh asparagus risotto with parmesan shavings). Or there's Greek chicken, mixed grill or veggie enchilada At 24 hours' notice he will also prepare pre-ordered "meal kits", such as Casanova or bohemian chicken, smoked trout and broccoli cannelloni or beef Wellington, so that admiring dinner party guests actually see you popping these creations in the oven.

But a big hit is is Sunday lunch to take home, with meats provided by a local butcher, homemade Yorkshire puddings and fresh vegetables and potatoes. That is why he stays open until about 4pm on a Sunday.

Just lately he has been catering for weddings and other events, but the word has got out that he has extended his hours to every day except Monday and now operates a delivery service.

Mark, who studied catering management for three years at Thomas Danby in Leeds and a further year at Oxford Brookes, said: "I am looking into a lunchtime project involving the provision of a hot, healthy, nutritious meal for the elderly. I hope to employ at least two part-time staff if this proves to be successful." He reckons that by the end of this financial year his turnover will have increased to £40,000. If this is achieved, "then I would like to look at opening another shop in another area or town."