Watch: Market Drayton chef appears in Asda Christmas ad after creating sausage roll wreath
A Shropshire chef has become a screen star by playing a key role in supermarket giant Asda's Christmas advertising campaign.
Ed Warren, 36, a development chef at Palethorpes Bakery in Market Drayton, features in Asda's #BecauseItsChristmas TV campaign.
Mr Warren was asked to feature in the commercial after creating a handcrafted sausage roll wreath for the retailer's 'Extra Special' Christmas range.
The 30-second advert, which is being aired nationwide in the run-up to Christmas, shows Mr Warren and other Asda chefs showcasing their festive party food.
Mr Warren used his pastry expertise to create the sausage roll wreath.
The product consists of seasoned British pork sausage wrapped in buttery puff pastry and is hand finished with pastry stars and a sprinkle of black pepper.
It took nearly eight months for Mr Warren and his team of development chefs at Palethorpes Bakery to create and perfect the product which goes on sale at Asda stores nationwide from December 9.
Mr Warren said: "Over the years I have worked at some very different types of places, but I absolutely love that I can use my creativity and experience to develop really unique products.
"The team is constantly creating new recipes and products and we are all incredibly passionate about what we do.
"I couldn't believe it when I received the call asking me to feature in the advert.
"I've never done anything like it before but I had a great day filming with the team at Asda and I can't wait to see it on TV – some my friends and family are even recording it."
Mr Warren has worked for Addo Food Group, part of Palethorpes Bakery, for more than four years and joined the company after gaining experience in a variety of culinary roles.
From gastro pubs in the Midlands to restaurants in Greece, Mr Warren has done a lot of travelling to gain as much experience as possible in his industry.
He said Addo Food Group specialises in chilled savoury pastry and makes a wide range of own brand and branded products, including sausage rolls, slices, pork pies, Scotch egg products and quiches.
The group is made up of six Addo business units: Dorset Foods, Riverside Bakery, Palethorpes Bakery, Poole Bakery, Tottle Bakery and Spalding Bakery.
Owning and operating the Wall's, Pork Farms, Millers, No G, Scrummy Eggs and Bowyers brands, Addo Food Group employs a total of 2,600 people and is a major local employer across its six business units in their respective locations.
Palethorpes Bakery is one of the biggest employers in the local area, with 490 people employed at the site and a further 200 at peak manufacturing times.
It produces 115 million products every year, including 55 million sausage rolls and 35 million hot eating pies.
