TASTING is an important part of Sheryl McDermott-Mercer’s job as an artisan hamper supplier. But she learned a vital lesson early on that tasting alcohol and placing orders in one session does not make for good business.

“I was tasting whiskeys at Whalley Wine Shop and refused to spit out, but it was a very valuable lesson which I won’t be repeating. I was distinctly wobbly after the first few tastes and ended up over-ordering.”

And although she insists on testing all the products she sells, she has to make sure that “a taste” is just that and she doesn’t succumb to over-indulgence, particularly when it comes to the hand-made chocs she buys from a firm in Skipton.

Sheryl, 46, from Barrow, Clitheroe, has managed to turn a hobby into a thriving business, quite an achievement in a recession. She works part-time in the ambulance service control room, but has always enjoyed putting together hampers as presents for friends and family. During a period of illness last year she had a lightbulb moment when she decided to research locally-produced food products. The result was the website www.ribblevalleyhampers.co.uk which has been so successful that Sheryl aims to open an outlet at Stydd Gardens, Ribchester, in the next couple of months where customers will be able make up their own bespoke hampers.

“I deal with small local suppliers,” says Sheryl, who currently works from home. “I visit their premises to check that they don’t use any artificial products and, of course, I taste everything. That’s the best part of the job.”

One of the more unusual products she sells is Ribble Valley Cider produced in West Bradford near Waddington using local apples, which are pressed and bottled by the company. There’s even a sparkling champagne cider which Sheryl can confirm is “delicious”. Ching ching!

Lancashire Crisps, using locally-grown spuds, are hand-cooked in the kitchens at Fiddler’s Farm in Ormskirk. Headless Peg and Skydancer are two real ales she buys in from the Bowland Brewery in Clitheroe. The exotic-sounding Baby Fig and Apple Chutney with Armagnac is produced by Clare’s, Clare being a chef who has created a booming jam and chutney business in Cumbria. “I personally deliver the hampers, although one West Bradford lady, who now lives in Portugal, was so missing a taste of home that she ordered a hamper filled with jams, chutneys, Lancashire crisps and salad oils from the Whars Valley.”

Hampers first emerged in England in the 1700s favoured for long journeys by well-to-do travellers who didn’t trust the fare and the company in hostelries en-route. In the 18th century they became popular for picnics in the countryside and for sending to soldiers abroad filled with delicious home-made produce to keep up their energy and spirits.

Sheryl’s particularly busy for Father’s Day, but she’s recently started providing welcome hampers for holiday lets in the Ribble Valley filled with home-made bread and scones and picnic hampers for Proms In The Park and race days.

One of her more quirky products is a hamper basket which can be fixed on to the front of a bicycle for future use.

Which could be described as a moveable feast.