A NEW Skipton confectionery business is to launch at Barnoldswick’s February Feast on Valentine’s Day.

The Carnegie Sweet Club will be selling gourmet handmade marshmallows, made using only natural ingredients.

Matthew Greaves, a former chef of The Alma Inn in Laneshawbridge, started the business after hearing about New York bakeries experimenting with gourmet marshmallows.

“It opened my eyes to what confectionery could be – there is so much potential to raise the bar for all sweets," said Matthew, the company's managing director. "I roped in fellow chef, Jordan Tyson, bought an industrial mixer and started from there."

Jordan, a previous finalist in the North West Young Chef of the Year award, is confident the company has what it takes to transform the market.

The marshmallows are a world apart from the white and pink supermarket variety. The company is starting with vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and basil, and orange and ginger.

“Vanilla and chocolate are classics and they’re both delicious," said Jordan. "We've been a bit more adventurous with the strawberry one, another classic, by adding basil which is a background note that gives the overall flavour a fresher taste. In the orange and ginger marshmallow we use candied stem ginger and it’s a great combination.”

The Carnegie Sweet Club is based at Roughaw Road, but Matthew highlighted the importance of Skipton and Barnoldswick's award-winning High Streets and felt the latter's Valentine's Day event was the perfect place to launch his business.

February Feast: Love Food, Love Barnoldswick is being held in celebration of the town winning the 2014 Great British High Street Award and includes hosting of the World Meat Pie Championships.

Matthew said: “For both Barnoldswick and Skipton to have won High Street awards highlights what a great place this area is for shopping and for business."