A food venture serving locally sourced pies got off to a jolly good start on Saturday.

The Paramour Pop-up Pie Club officially opened its doors at the side of the Jolly Gardener pub in Golf Road, Deal.

With a guest list that included food writers and local suppliers, owners Peter Halpin and wife Cherry Truluck Halpin served up a selection of their award winning dishes.

Peter said: “We were exhausted after a long week of getting the space and the food ready, but it was a really exciting day.

“We had queues of customers at lunchtime and people were so supportive and enthusiastic about what we are doing.

“We were particularly pleased about all the positive feedback we had about our ethos of local sourcing and well produced/high welfare ingredients - the people of Deal seem to really ‘get it’”.

The couple, who live a few doors away in Cannon Street, pride themselves on using locally sourced ingredients.

They began the small batch bakery from very humble beginnings, cooking pies in their home kitchen when they lived in Paramour Street, Ash. The street name became the inspiration for their brand name. And now they are endorsed by Alec and Amanda Ceschi from Paramour Grange, who give the guests at their accommodation a gift pack which includes Paramour pies.

After less than a year they won a Taste of Kent award for their signature Mr McGregor’s game pies. They came highly commended at the Kent Life Food and Drink Awards.

Among the suppliers at the bash were Chandler and Dunn, Walmestone Growers and Karly’s Kitchen. Food writer Rachel Phipps attended along with organiser of Broadstairs Food Festival Jo Scott and of Sandwich Food Fayre Veronica Liote.

Peter added: “There was also a great reaction to our carefully selected local suppliers of complementary products - Debonair Tea, Real Deal Coffee and Karly’s Kitchen.

“We had lots of enquiries about our upcoming workshops too, so we will be confirming dates and details for those very soon.”

Paramour Pop-Up Pie Club is part of the Jolly Gardener pub, Golf Road, Deal (entrance via Cannon Street). It is open Thursday to Saturday 10am to 4pm with workshops held at additional times. Orders can be made in advance with free delivery within Deal for dinner parties, but it is not a fast food service.

For more information, telephone 01304 373586.