SHE may have been handed stall number 13, but Desiree Bourne is not worried about being unlucky in business.
After years of perfecting, she's confident her quirky savoury muffins will be a hit when they go on sale at Nottingham's Victoria Market next week.
Miss Bourne, 53, of Cleveland Close, Radford, said: "I'm hoping to conquer the world with the muffins.
"I've always baked and done things for colleagues, and I'm always looking at new recipes for savoury muffins.
"I did a chicken one this weekend and people were sceptical, but I said 'try it' and they thought it was nice. I want people to try something new – instead of a sandwich a lunch, have a savoury muffin."
She will be offering a variety of different flavoured savoury muffins and cakes when her stall – called 4get Me Knott – opens for business on Wednesday.
The fledgling businesswoman is one of a number of traders who will be given the chance to trade for free in the market's food hall until May 29, as part of Love Your Local Market fortnight.
Miss Bourne said: "This is my first venture and I hope it will go well.
"I'm telling everybody about it and asking them to bring their friends down too."
Her venture also has a serious aim.
After a career working for learning disability charity Mencap and as an activities coordinator for people with dementia, she hopes 4get Me Knott will develop into a permanent business.
She said: "As I grow the business and have my own premises, I want to be able to have a day where people with dementia and their carers can come and full comfortable.
"It's my aim to give something back to them."
Of her stall number, she added: "I don't believe in superstition so I'm not worried about it."
Miss Bourne said she expects her top-seller to be a pizza muffin, as well as her cheese and bacon savoury biscuits.
She said: "I just love the smell of the pizza muffins.
"They look and smell like a pizza, but in cake form."
The national Love Your Local Market initiative, which is in its second year, aims to recruit new market traders and demonstrate the importance of the market as a community asset.
Nottingham City Council hopes the fortnight will encouraging people across the city to rediscover their local market.
Among the other new traders who will be at Victoria Market are people selling cupcakes, Chinese food, fresh baked bread, Caribbean food, as well as butchers and fishmongers.
The market will also be hosting two special events during the fortnight.
Sushi making demonstrations will be held in the food hall on Saturday, May 18, and Saturday, May 25 at 11.30am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.
Chef Nigel Brown will also be running demonstrations on Saturday, May 25, at noon, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm.
For more information about Love Your Local Market fortnight visit www.loveyourlocalmarket.org.uk.
