A husband-and-wife business team in Whitchurch this week played host to a group of delegates from Ireland hoping to pick up business tips.

Andrew and Marie Powell, from Powell's Pies in Watergate Arcade, were contacted by Taste Cheshire, which writes the definitive guide to food and drink across the county, as they were giving a tour of businesses they have supported to members of Donegal enterprise office from Donegal County Council.

Marie was delighted with how the event went, given the short notice, and felt the afternoon of demonstrating hand-made pork pies was a successful one.

"It was a bit of a shock to be asked to demonstrate our business to the visitors from Donegal but it was also an honour too," said Marie.

"Even though we're Shropshire-based now, Taste Cheshire have helped us become what we are from the start and we were delighted to help them show what they do.

"The visitors asked lots of questions about what we do and they were delighted with the product as well, judging by the empty tray of samples.

"Plenty took our pies home with them too so it was great to show what we, a small business in Whitchurch, can do."

Eve-Anne McCarron, who is a business advisor at Donegal's Local Enterprise Office, added: "It was great to see a small business taking the step towards what they want to do.

"Marie and Andrew told us about what they're doing and their product is brilliant. It was great to see how they took that step forward because they trusted their product.

"Coming here will help them understand that if you love something, then just go for it.

"It's great for us to see people like Marie and Andrew – it's about meeting people and having a shared experience that we can take back to our people."

Stephen Wundke, chief executive officer of Taste Cheshire, said: “Margaret Campbell of Donegal Enterprise approached us to ask if we could put together an itinerary of successful Cheshire food and drink operators from within our membership.

"We were delighted to help and over the last three days they have visited some of our outstanding members, and have learnt how to make pies with Marie [and Andrew].

"It has been a very full itinerary with 17 different operators right across the county opening their doors to help fellow business people understand what makes them tick and how they have succeeded against the odds in many cases."