AN 'INNOVATIVE' catering firm specialising in sticky ribs has diversified and is set to branch out further afield.

The Rib and Mac Shack, which is the brainchild of Bridport businessman Sam Hill, is launching in Dorchester today.

From today, the Rib and Mac Shack, a converted horsebox, will be ready to serve the public every Thursday evening outside Bonjour Café, in Babeny Walk, Poundbury.

The 'shack' is an offshoot of Mr Hill's The Rib Shop - The Hungry Mule, which was established back in October.

Mr Hill, who runs his firm Hungry Mule Catering from Dreadnought Trading Estate in Bridport, said: "The Rib Shop started up back in October.

"It's gone from strength to strength and it has only got busier since.

"I started Hungry Mule from my garage back in April 2015, so the business is celebrating its six-year anniversary this month.

"The business brand comes from my old nickname at school, due to my big appetite for food."

Since moving into the premises in Bridport, the Rib Shop has mainly served food to the Bridport public with takeaways on Fridays, but Mr Hill's catering firm has provided services to events which were still allowed to go ahead during the pandemic, including weddings.

However, Mr Hill said he feels it is the 'right time' to branch out the reach of the business to others areas of Dorset.

"It now feels like the right time to take the Rib Shop on the road. I believe that it will suit the people of Dorchester perfectly," he said.

"The town seems to have the right cosmopolitan, 'food vibe' and I'm sure its residents will be in tune with our original, innovative offerings.

"It's big food and big flavour, which I'm sure everyone is going to love."

The Rib and Mac Shack will start serving the Dorchester public from Thursday, April 8 and every Thursday after that between 5pm to 8pm.

It will continue to serve the Bridport public on Fridays from 5pm until 8.30pm in the Dreadnought Trading Estate.

Mr Hill has over 15 years culinary experience working in, Australia, New Zealand and southeast Asia and ran the Anchor Inn, in Seatown.