A food-loving family is expanding its empire with the opening of its latest shop in Surrey.

Two Many Cooks, a mother and daughter who already run a catering company, cafe and bed and breakfast in the county, have now opened a new 'foodie' shop in Reigate.

The opening is the fulfilment of a long-held ambition for daughter Emily Smitham, and has created six jobs.

Two Many Cooks was founded by Joanna Rowlands in Brockham 25 years ago, to make and deliver sandwiches to local businesses.

Joanna’s daughter, Emily, later joined the business, which developed into a prestige event caterer, providing catering for more than 200 weddings, private and corporate parties, and other events across the region every year.

In 2011, the family opened a shop in Dorking, and the company, which currently has 12 full-time staff and more than 180 part-time catering and waiting staff, expanded again a year later, opening a bed and breakfast in Brockham.

Now, the £1.2 million turnover business has opened a second café in Lesbourne Road, Reigate, which has created three new full-time jobs and three part-time positions.

The opening is the fulfilment of a dream for Emily, who said: “I have always wanted to open a shop in my home town of Reigate.

“I could see that it had so much potential and I promised myself that if the right property ever came up, then we would go for it.”

She said: “We will be selling lots of home-made dishes, including salads and tarts, and we want to create a really homely atmosphere where people can relax and enjoy our food.”

The new shop, which will open seven days a week, has been opened with the support of a commercial loan from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.

David Page, Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) banking relationship manager for Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “It is great to see a local family firm like Two Many Cooks thriving, creating jobs and providing a service that is so popular.”