Chefs, and Gordon Ramsay in particular, are always shouting loudly about the need for fresh ingredients.

But now they can stop shouting, because they can grow their own an arm’s length away, even as they sweat over a hot oven.

They can watch salads and herbs sprout right next to them, but with technology firmly in charge.

Start-up company Evogro, based at the East Malling research campus, has developed an indoor plant growing system for chefs and is trying to raise £250,000 with a crowdfunding appeal on Crowdcube.

More than £92,000 has been pledged so far and 44 investors have signed up, including a single pledge of £50,000.

Evogro produce cabinets which chefs can install in their kitchens, or wherever is convenient nearby.

The cabinets are internet-connected and make it easy to grow perfect microgreens, salad leaves and herbs using hydroponics, horticultural LED lighting and video monitoring.

The company has already cracked the top end of the market, with their cabinets installed at posh London hotels Claridge’s and the Ritz.

In Kent, they are being used at the Michelin-starred West House in Biddenden.

In time, Evogro hope to conquer the professional catering market before expanding internationally and, eventually, selling their cabinets to consumers.

The company was founded by experienced technology entrepreneur and keen gardener Jason Hirst, who is Evogro’s MD.

Jason and technology director Paul Adams started their research around three years ago and worked together on R&D before producing a prototype.

Their chefs’ cabinets caused considerable interest when they were launched at last year’s Restaurant Show.

Paul said: “Our product is much more about technology than horticulture. We supply the customer with seeds and we control the whole growing cycle.

"The big advantage is that the plants are growing in ideal conditions and grow throughout the year, not the usual four or five month growing period in the UK.”

Even Gordon Ramsay would be happy with that.