A dessert supplier to Sainsbury’s and Waitrose increased pre-tax profits by nearly half to £148,000 last year, newly filed accounts show.

Rhokett, which was co-founded by Gillingham-born celebrity chef Gary Rhodes in 2001, increased turnover by 4% to £11.9 million in the 12 month to the end of September.

The Cranbrook-based company built a new factory in Hawkhurst – its second in the village – which it opened in September, doubling its capacity and creating about 50 jobs.

The business has grown by more than 20% a year over the past decade, supplying premium puddings to the likes of Marks and Spencer and Pret a Manger.

Operating profit grew 36% to £214,000 and it hopes to increase its revenue to more than £15 million next year.

The firm is led by chief executive and chef patissier Martin Dockett and directors said they were “pleased with this progress” and expect sales to grow by a third this year.

However, co-founder and director Peter Le Voir said in his company report that “increased ingredient costs have been greater in recent months than we’ve seen for some years”.

He added the business was juggling the rising minimum wage and the introduction of auto-enrolment pensions.

He said: “We seek to address through a mix of efficiency savings and higher prices.”