AN URMSTON couple who shot to fame five years ago on a Channel Four daytime cookery series are serving up their culinary delights in their hometown and earning rave reviews already in their new business.

Husband and wife duo John and Carolyn Phillips were contacted for the Too Many Cooks show after researchers for True North Productions found the website for a supper club the couple had previously run, South Manchester Suppers.

However, the 52-year-old decided to follow his dream and built on the skills and confidence and last year he gave up his 20 years as a legal career and opened his restaurant Proost, on Crofts Bank Road, in October.

The couple celebrated last week after earning their 100th five-star review on Trip Advisor but they insist their experience on the small screen helped them to set their building blocks for the business.

Carolyn said: “It was a really happy time and I think it was the catalyst to realise his dream and turn cooking from just a hobby and a few pop-up events in pubs.

“We opened in October and it was a case of finding our feet and hoping it will settle down and getting rhythm of running a business then coronavirus came in March.

“We got support from the Government to deal with the short-term closure and given our staff wages.

The 45-year-old added:”We are putting people in pairs at tables rather than six or seven which we would have done before lockdown.

“I think John learnt a lot from the experience - not just preparing dishes but working in a budget when the cameras are in your faces and was a challenge.

“We are supporting a local people and want to get involved in local charitable events.”

John worked as a personal injury lawyer in Rochdale and was ‘itching’ to get in the kitchen and found it a challenge starting a new career and being self-employed rather than having money coming in regularly.