When you have something amazing to share, it doesn't take long for word to get around.
That is exactly what happened for one Leicester couple who started giving honey to their colleagues at the distribution warehouse where they work.
The honey Carmen Mistreanu and her boyfriend, Aurel Patriche, gave to colleagues became so popular it has turned into a business.
The honey is created all over Romania by 27-year-old Carmen's brother, and shipped to England, where the couple sell it from their home in Filbert Street, in the city centre.
Carmen told LeicestershireLive: "My brother has a lot of beehives in Romania and he asked if I wanted to sell the honey over here. I had said no, but me and my boyfriend were giving it out at work and people said they were interested to buy it.
"Then word started spreading and lots of people started asking about it so we started a Facebook page and people from all over Leicester started becoming intererested."
Carmen's brother has to travel to make the honey they sell, which are conifer honeydew, acacia, linden blossom and wildflower varieties.
She added: "Because all of the plants are across the country he travels with the bee hives and all of his equipment to get the honey."
Carmen and Aurel started selling the honey in January, and have now received a five star hygiene rating from Leicester City Council for their business.
Fourteen other businesses also received a five star hygiene rating last week.
They are:
- Po Wing - Hinckley Road
- Cascade Lounge - London Road
- Europa - Upperton Road
- Slimming World - Aylestone Road
- N E Snacks - Oswin Road
- The West End Brewery - Braunstone Gate
- Egg Free Cake Box - Narborough Road
- Europe - Dunton Street
- Rumblin Tum's - Kerrial Gardens
- Vista - Thurnby Lodge Community Centre - Thurncourt Road
- Woodgate Residents' Association Lunch Club - Woodgate Resources Centre, Woodgate
- Soand Meat Shop - Narborough Road
- Cyprus Kebab House - Narborough Road
- Age UK - Musgrove Close
The above list does not contain just restaurants and takeaways as all places which serve food in the city must be checked, from traditional food outlets to schools, care homes and staff canteens.
This task is carried out by a team of 10 officers from the city council.
Earlier this year the authority released its findings with an annual report to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), showing the vast majority of places do make the grade .
Food hygiene ratings
However, at the other end of the scale, work needs to be carried out at scores of establishments.
Where standards are so poor or when an officer revisits and there are no signs of improvement, they can take formal action.
This is a formal warning that goes on the record of the food business operator and can be taken into account should other failings be found in future.
