A YOUNG cooking fan from Trowbridge has had his wish come true after taking over the helm at a Corsham catering business.

Dean Parsons, 25, of Hilperton Marsh, is the new owner of Apple Tree Catering, based in South Street Business Park, with his sister's wedding the first job on the books.

Mr Parsons said he always planned on taking over a business, but never dreamed it could happen so fast.

"In my life plan I have always planned on having my own catering business but it has just happened faster than I imagined because there was a business there available for me," he said.

"I think my cooking genes have come from my gran because she was an absolutely fantastic cook.

"My mum told me that I used to watch cooking programmes even as a child. I was totally fascinated.

Mr Parsons, who was a student at The John of Gaunt School, Trowbridge, gained catering qualifications after completing a two-year course at Trowbridge College, while working full-time as a trainee chef at Woolley Grange Hotel, Bradford on Avon. He has also worked at Center Parcs, Warminster.

Moving to West Sussex, he ran a pub for two years but moved back to west Wiltshire with his wife Jennifer and three-year-old son Callum.

He took over an area manager role at Maidenhead but missed hands-on cooking. He said: "I'm passionate about my food and cooking and that's very much where my strength lies. That's what I thrive on."

Mr Parsons' first booking is his sister Kerry's wedding on October 16 in Melksham.