AFTER 12 years working in marketing within the Telecoms sector, Nicola Goode decided it was time for a change.

It was time to do something she loved: cooking.

Born and bred in Lymington, Nicola returned to her roots and used the New Forest as inspiration for her cooking.

Since 2007, she has been busy creating a wide selection of mouth-watering produce from cakes and savoury snacks, to party buffets and children’s themed party food with her company, Yum.

In March 2008, she was successfully recognised as a local producer and Yum was awarded the New Forest Marque.

Nicola, pictured, has worked hard to reduce Yum’s food miles by sourcing ingredients locally – more than 80 per cent come from within a 30-mile radius.

Yum’s mission is to cater for all tastes and budgets, using only the finest ingredients, to produce high quality, delicious homemade food from their kitchen in Milford on Sea.

As well as making scrumptious cakes for customers such as Willow in Lymington, Nicola offers a wide of products and services including children’s cookery parties, which are hands on fun and educational.

To spread Yum’s passion for local food the company attend annual events such as Lymington Transition Group Spring Fair and Milford on Sea Music Festival. Yum is also supporting the Milford on Sea Food Week, which is being held from April 11 to 17.

Yum will be running and attending several events during the week: a children’s cookery workshop, which was a huge success last year, Cake Fest, a choir and cake concert, cookery demonstrations and the Sunday Food Market.

• For more information about Yum, visit loveyum.com.

• For more information about the Milford on Sea Food Week, visit milfordonseafoodweek.org.