Two sisters - one of whom was once the personal cook for both Madonna and Virgin tycoon Richard Branson - have hired a top chef for their village restaurant.

Nicole and Lesley Parry opened The Curious Eatery in the former Albion pub in Boughton Monchelsea, near Maidstone, in September 2016.

Not only is it already turning a profit, but they have recruited a former colleague of celebrity chef Tom Kerridge to join their team.

And if it works out, he is likely to take a share in the business.

Ollie Brown, 32, worked for several years at the Hand and Flowers in Marlow, Buckinghamshire. The venue, run by Mr Kerridge, is the only pub in the UK to boast two Michelin stars.

In addition, the pub has diversified to expand its outside catering operation as well started developing its own gardens to allow it to grow its own produce.

But the village retreat is a long way from what Botswana-born Nicole Parry was once used to.

The 35-year-old previously worked on luxury yachts and was then signed up to cook Richard Branson’s meals on his paradise private island, Necker, in the British Virgin Islands.

And it was working for the businessman she met Mr Brown - finally managing to persuade him to join their Kent business.

And after the Virgin chief, more celebrity employers awaited her.

She explains: “I went off to work with Madonna for a short amount of time in New York. I had a job interview with her in London, we got on, and so went to live in New York.

“But it was quite expensive to live in New York. So financially it was not possible.

“I did her son’s 10th birthday party which was fun and had some good times.

“She’s eccentric and she can be quite rude – not to me, but I saw her do it to others. Her children were very polite – very level-headed.

“But they were just funny about money and stuff and after working with Richard Branson who was just the most incredible man I could have worked for - an amazing person who was so generous - it didn’t really work.”

She keeps in touch with her former boss - and he sent a special video message when the venture in Boughton Monchelsea first opened.

But there’s no plans to expand just yet.

“We thought about splitting our team over another site, but felt that would dilute what we offer.”