RACHEL Young was trudging around a farmers' market one cold winter's morning when she decided she wanted a steaming hot cup of soup. But she couldn't find one anywhere.

So, she decided to set up her own soup company.

You could argue this was an extreme reaction - but for Rachel it has proved a resounding sucess.

Cedar Cottage Soups burst on to Worcestershire's farmers' markets in June, last year, and has gone from strength to strength.

"It all started when I was pregnant," she said.

"I've always worked in catering and trained on the job since I left school. But knowing the baby was on the way, I really didn't want to go back to work full-time.

"My husband, Gavin, has worked in farming for 20 years and we've always shopped at farmers' markets because we really believe in supporting local farmers and growers.

"At first I thought that I would scale up my jam and pickle making, but I realised that there were already several people at the markets selling their preserves, so I knew I had to find something else.

"Gavin really encouraged me to go for it because he knew that I could cook - so I started to create recipes."

For Rachel, making soup is not a complicated business.

"You start with the base, often either onion or leek. Then you add your main ingredients like carrots or parsnip and then the vegetables simmer in a good stock until they are cooked," she said.

"A really good stock is crucial and so I make all my own stocks to start with from a range of fresh vegetables and herbs.

"I tend not to over-season my soups because I find it is better for my customers to try them and add they're own seasoning. Their tastes vary so much.

"People used to think that soup was old fashioned, but now they are really coming back into fashion thanks to the celebrity chefs that promote good homemade food made with fresh local ingredients.

"And soups are a really good way of combining lots of seasonal produce and cooking a healthy, satisfying meal."

Rachel is always open to fresh ideas.

"I am always inventing new recipes," she said.

"One of my best ideas has been a variation on the classic brocolli and stilton. I tried making sweet potato and stilton soup which has become one of the most popular

"But my favourite is traditional mushroom soup. You can't beat it!"

Buying ingredients locally where she can, Rachel makes use of her local farm shop and the contacts that she has made through the farmers' markets.

"Everyone has been so friendly and supportive. I now buy quite a lot of seasonal vegetables for my recipes from other producers at the market.

"It has gone full circle."

Her range now includes about 10 regular recipes with two or three seasonal variations as well.

This week, Rachel's seasonal soup is made with Jerusalem artichoke, which gives it a lovely smooth texture.

So, has she enjoyed stepping out of the kitchen to meet her customers?

"It's been great," she said.

"I've never had much opportunity before to meet customers face to face, and I'm really enjoying getting to chat with them and see their reaction to tasting some of my soup.

"I always let people 'try before they buy' which seems to work really well."

And judging by the customers gathered around Rachel's stall sampling steaming cups of soup, she has her recipe about right.

Joyce Withers, aged 57, of Worcester, said: "It's so good to find a genuinely homemade product that is wholesome and tastes delicious.

"My husband and I have tried several of Rachel's Cedar Cottage Soups and have been really impressed."

Worcestershire Farmers' Markets Group chairman Andrew Keysall said: "We always encourage newcomers to the group, particularly when they're keen and enthusiastic like Rachel Young.

"She has worked really hard to get her range together and it appears to be paying off."

Rachel Young with her Cedar Cottage Soups attends farmers markets at Worcester, Bewdley, Malvern, Welland, Bromsgrove and Webbs of Wychbold.

If you would like to know more about farmers' markets in your area, or have a good idea and would like to find out about joining Worcestershire Farmers Market Group, you can call 07795 656148 or visit www.worcestershirefarmersmarkets.net