ANDY Murray loves food. And drink. It’s in his blood – and now he’s making it his business with a pioneering snack company. So far, it's going very well – some very high-profile people seem to believe in him and his products. A couple of weeks ago, he featured on Dragon’s Den, and secured backing for The Drinks Bakery from both Deborah Meaden and Peter Jones.

Andy presented his range of savoury biscuits – Drinks Biscuits – which he says are the first ever snacks produced with a specific drink in mind. Born of a belief that all great drinks deserve great snacks, he developed the biscuits to complement perfectly all of Britain’s favourite tipples, from beers and wine to gin and whisky.

“The obvious dragons for me were either Deborah Meaden, who is well-known as a premium foodie, or Peter Jones, who is simply a food-brand Jedi,” he says. “I also have a soft spot for Jenny, who I think would be great company for a gin and tonic. The investment allows me to think bigger and go after some larger accounts like Sainsbury’s.”

Andy grew up in Sunderland in a food and drink-obsessed family. His grandfather was a publican in Middlesbrough and Andy was drawn to the social conviviality of it all from an early age. “The Vaux Brewery was at the heart of the town so even the air I breathed had a taste of hops,” he says. “I consider myself as lucky to have worked in some great bars in the North-East from the ripe old age of 16, the highlight of which was probably The Ivy House in its heyday during the late 80s which launched me into a lifelong obsession with great drinks brands.”

At home, Aperitivo was a daily tradition for the Murray family. “My parents fixated on the perfect pairings at happy hour and inspired my foray into the restaurant business,” says Andy. “My passion for drinks developed while working in the industry, where I noticed that the snacks on offer weren’t keeping pace with craft drinks innovation. I wanted a snack that was more thoughtful and complementary to the drinks, so I began identifying the best flavour pairings and The Drinks Bakery was born. I am delighted people can now enjoy them at home too.”

Made with completely natural, premium ingredients, Drinks Biscuits come in four flavours; Parmesan, Toasted Pine Nuts & Basil, Lancashire Cheese & Spring Onion, Mature Cheddar, Chilli & Almond and Pecorino, Rosemary & Scottish Seaweed. The range is available from Sainsbury’s for £1.90 in a pack of eight biscuits.

Andy moved to Edinburgh 15 years ago, after a spell in London, but still loves to return to his roots in the North-East. “I come back regularly to take my boys to ‘real’ football matches and visit friends and family in Sunderland, Whitburn, Stanley and Newcastle,” he says.

And to enjoy a convivial drink with old friends, no doubt – together with a perfectly paired snack.