A Penwortham cafe owner has told of how she’s looking to extend her premises after a strong start.

Emma Rookie took on The Cow Shed in Liverpool Road in May.

The 20-year-old is now applying for a hot food licence after a good first two months of trading at the coffee and ice cream shop.

The former Penwortham Priory Academy pupil had a visit from her former food technology teacher.

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Shelley Lewis-Lavender dropped in to visit Emma and see how they were getting on.

Emma said: “Shelley is the reason I am where I am.

It’s been my dream to have my own café, I went to Catering College in Cheshire, and worked at Lang’s Bakery and at Marks and Spencers but I always wanted to run my own place.

“Shelley had a massive influence on us all. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have got into cooking and be where I am.

“My sisters also took part in various cookery competitions in their time at Priory and Kate is in Jersey and makes the ice-cream which we sell at The Cow Shed.

“It is a family affair as Helen is helping me, Jane has just finished at Priory and is working in the summer and Ben works after-school and at weekends so everyone is helping out.”

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Emma’s sisters Hannah, Helen, Kate, Lucy and Jane have all been helping out at the cafe.

Shelley said: “I am so proud of Emma. I did an advanced patisserie course with their mum at Preston’s College around 20-years ago and she passed on her knowledge from this to them.

“I encouraged them to carry on with their cooking skills and they have all dabbled in different things but tended to come back to food.”