FOOD was high on the agenda for the Duchess of Cornwall as she visited Trowbridge-based firm apetito following its success in industry awards over the past few years.

Her Royal Highness who delivered a 'meals on wheels' meal to an elderly resident in Scotland in 2008 has since developed an interest in what foodservice business apetito, does.

The duchess, who was wearing a long blue coat and black boots, arrived at apetito this morning meeting members of the workforce before being introduced to the chairman of Wiltshire Council, cllr brigadier Robert Hall and Trowbridge mayor cllr Clive Blackmore by the lord lieutenant of Wiltshire John bush.

HRH was then introduced to apetito UK chief executive Paul Freeston and he presented her to representatives from the community meals, healthcare, care homes and Wiltshire Farm Foods Divisions.

She then had the opportunity to quiz head development chef Phil Rimmer and development chef Shiva Osborne about food from across the ranges.

She was particularly interested in texture modified products-pureed food that has been moulded into its original shapes- asking 'how do you get them all into these shapes?' adding that they have got to keep testing and asked 'what's the feedback from people?'.

Mr Rimmer said afterwards: "She was very interested in all the ranges of food we had but also the texture modified range. She was amazed that we had managed to keep the shapes of the food and asked about the nature of that.

"She also asked where we source our food from and I said over 50 per cent of it comes from the UK and the rest from Europe and developing countries."

Before the duchess' visit ended she spoke to more members of staff, watched a video presentation and also unveiled a slate plaque commemorating her visit as well as seeing the vehicles used to transport and cook the food.

apetito provides food for the elderly through the community, carehomes and healthcare.