Compared with one of her previous jobs, Carol Denison’s cafe is a quiet haven.

For three years Carol catered for a motor racing team in Gloucestershire, feeding ravenous drivers fresh from the track.

“It was crazy. I love motor racing but it was so busy – I didn’t see as much as I would have liked. I could hear the cars driving past while I cooked.

“Pasta dishes were the popular choice for drivers,” she adds.

It is a far cry from The Red Room, in Queensgate, Bradford – a welcoming cafe where shoppers and workers meet to enjoy a bite to eat and a cup of coffee.

The opening of the cafe earlier this year fulfiled a lifetime dream for Carol, 35, who always wanted her own business.

“I wasn’t necessarily looking for a restaurant, but something a bit more casual where I would have lots of customer contact. I always worked behind the scenes and missed being able to meet people.”

Now she spends her days chatting to the growing number of regular customers who pop into the cafe – which takes its name from its vibrant red interior – for a lunchtime bite. “I painted it red because I love the colour – and I’ve got red hair,” she laughs.

Toasted paninis include bacon, brie and cranberry, tuna, red onion and mozarella, and roasted vegetable, pesto and mozarella; a range of hot baguettes feature roast vegetable and Mexican chicken; and sandwiches, baked potatoes and salad boxes come with a variety of ingredients.

“We do specials too – our corned beef hash with bread flies out of the door,” she adds.

A former pupil at Buttershaw High School, Carol studied hotel and catering at Bradford College. She then worked in hotels in Yorkshire, Gloucestershire and, later, Lancashire – where she took on her first head chef post.

“I worked in Preston and ended up at the Swallow Hotel. After two years I was made head chef.”

She was delighted, and enjoyed the job – but she always hankered after her own business. After scouring the North for suitable premises, she came across the site in Bradford.

“As soon as I walked through the door, I loved it,” she says. Her former colleague and friend, Holly Hubbard, with whom she worked in Gloucestershire, moved to Yorkshire to help out.

“Holly bakes my cakes,” she says, referring to the mouthwatering selection of “home-made cakes and sweet things” on display.

“We do home-made scones with jam and cream – if people are shopping in Bradford they can come for a scone and pot of tea.

“I try to make sure that everything is home-made, down to the chutneys,” she says. Carol is in her element. “It was nerve-wracking at first – on the opening morning Holly was here with me at the crack of dawn cooking bacon. But it was also exciting, and very satisfying.”

She loves the customer contact. “I love stocking the shelves and putting out displays.”

Recently, Carol expanded into outside catering – an area in which she already has experience. “I’ve catered for lunchtime meetings, christenings and anniversary parties – the emphasis will be on nicely presented, home-made food.”

Off-duty, Carol is an avid Bradford City follower. “I’m a big fan,” she says. “My family are season ticket holders and text me the results when I’m at work.”