Family trio launches food business outside popular pub with menu based on Northampton legends
A family trio has launched a food business outside a popular pub, and their unique menu is inspired by Northampton legends.
Husband Matthew Haylett, wife Sarah Haylett and daughter Ellie Haylett are the faces behind Legendary Snacks, which is now open at The Melbourne Arms on Melbourne Lane.
The venture opened to the public for the first time on Monday August 3 and Matthew spoke to the Chronicle & Echo about this latest addition to the town.
“This year is my 50th year and last year was my wife’s,” he said. “Last August I got made redundant after 20 years. I was looking at jobs and my heart wasn’t in it. I initially trained to become a chef when I left school in 1993 but life took me on a different path.
“I’m 50 years old and was made redundant, so I had to go right back to the start and do something I’m passionate about. It’s the perfect opportunity and timing, and the universe made me do it. Everything fell into place and we went for it.”
Matthew is pleased to be joined by his wife Sarah and daughter Ellie, who share his passion for making this new journey a success and bringing something unique to Northampton.
The menu is based on legends of Northampton and the items are created using locally sourced produce. Matthew is pleased to support fellow local businesses like The Butchers Block.
From landmarks like the National Lift Tower to icons like chatty man Alan Carr, the trio are hopeful that customers can identify with the people and places on their menu.
This week has been a soft launch for Legendary Snacks, with a new menu item introduced each day, and it is from next week when the full menu will be available to customers. This includes breakfasts, burgers, toasties and waffles.
Some of the recognisable names you can expect to see on the menu at Legendary Snacks include the Cobblers, the Saints, Kinky Boots, Jo Whiley, Lady Di and Walter Tull.
“There was a lack of choice and for a decent breakfast, you have to travel 10-to-15 minutes,” said Matthew, who was born in Irchester but has resided in Duston since 1995.
“Ellie would often order waffles on a Sunday evening, it would take over an hour to get here and it was fairly pricey. The growing housing development over here is huge and the infrastructure going into the new housing estates is missing variety and options.”
That is why the family have positioned themselves outside The Melbourne Arms pub, and they have had the support of new landlord Steve. He has live sports on screens, live music at the weekends and Bank Holiday fun, and Matthew hopes customers will buy into Legendary Snacks.
He said: “It is a village pub with a community vibe, which we want to be part of and contribute to. We even named our toastie range after the Melbourne, called the Melly.
“We opened on Monday and even people who haven’t bought from us yet are really engaged. There’s been overwhelming positive feedback and people want us to be a success so we can stay here. We want longevity in the community we’ve been part of for 30 years.”
Matthew is confident that every area has a legend, meaning the sky is the limit when it comes to the growth potential of Legendary Snacks. Only time will tell as to whether they jump in with a second food van as soon as possible, or upgrade what they already have.
You can find Legendary Snacks outside The Melbourne Arms seven days a week and they are open from 5pm until late.