A chef has set up a new mashed potato takeaway in Morecambe - believed to be the only one of its kind in the UK - in memory of his late father.
James Ashcroft has launched Mashcroft's, selling mashed potato-based dishes, in honour of his dad Keith who died in 2020.
Keith was a popular musician, teaching guitar at the town's Promenade Music shop and playing in bands locally including Twenty Four Seven, and was himself a big fan of mash.
One of the dishes on James' new menu is called 'Chicken a' la Keith' as a dedication to his father.
Mashcroft's opens this Sunday at the Trimpell Club in Morecambe with food available to eat in, delivery and takeaway.
LISTEN to our interview with James Ashcroft from Mashcroft's and Paul Hughes, steward at the Trimpell (pictured below)
"We have called it Mashcroft's as a bit of an ode mostly to my father," said James.
"We thought the Ashcroft name is only one letter short of being the perfect match...or perfect mash!
"It's good old-fashioned comfort good, it's very versatile, nice and simple to make and you can do so much with it.
"From what we can see, we're not sure that anyone has been brave enough or smart enough to launch a mashed potato takeaway yet. Time will tell whether it's lunacy or genius!"
Customers will be able to choose their mash from a range of flavours including classic butter, smoked cheese, mustard and thyme, and black pudding, and top their potato with either beef, bacon, sausages or the Chicken a' la Keith.
Keith Ashcroft is pictured below. Photo by Mike Jackson.
"It's supreme of chicken in a beautiful white wine and cream sauce," said James.
"Dad was a big fan of food and definitely mash potatoes.
"The Chicken a' la Keith we've done in his honour and it does say on the menu it's in memory of the late great Keith Ashcroft.
"Throughout our childhood my brothers and sisters and I were very fortunate in the sense that my dad was always very much pro-cook and that's been a massive inspiration in me becoming a chef and leading to this point as well.
"Anything we can do to keep his name alive is a no-brainer."
Like his dad, James also plays guitar and regularly accompanies his friend, Lancaster singer Paul Akister, at gigs across the local area.
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