Food suppliers in the district look set to face a grilling from the Inland Revenue, according to Bradford-based accountancy firm Baker Tilly.

The Inland Revenue is currently investigating backhanders which have been paid to senior chefs across the country.

Chris Jowitt director of tax investigations for Baker Tilly, said: "The Revenue has discovered that such payments are common in the industry and senior investigators from the Special Compliance Office (SCO) will be working full time on the investigations for many months.

"A typical scenario is that the head chef in a large establishment will ask the main suppliers for a payment.

"In return, the chef will ensure the particular suppliers continue to provide goods, usually foodstuffs.

"If payment is refused, there will be a change of supplier to one who is more amenable to the arrangement."

Industry insiders say chefs have been demanding an average of between three per cent and five per cent of the total invoice value in kick-backs.

The payments are usually made via cash in a brown envelope.

Mr Jowitt added: "The SCO is putting a lot of pressure on wholesalers to name the individuals to whom payments have been made.

"It is believed they will be looking at the returns of more than 300 suppliers nation-wide. We understand the Revenue has obtained the names of at least 100 chefs who have received these payments. There's no escape for the chefs involved.

"The SCO is hoping to pinpoint a high profile case which is suitable for criminal prosecution, thus encouraging others chefs into voluntary co-operation.''