FOODIES in York can now find authentic New York baked cheesecake delights on the Shambles, inspired by a tried and tested family recipe.

Matt Kaplan remembers the days when his grandfather, who ran his own bakery - Sherry's - on 110th and Broadway in the Big Apple, would bring home boxes of delicious treats.

After Sherry's closed, the recipe simply became a treat loved by the family as his dad and uncle took a different career path.

Years later Matt whipped up a baked cheesecake for a 'pot luck' at work and it was so popular that he decided to leave his job as an airbrush painter and follow in his granddad's footsteps.

After moving to York in 2014 and selling his cheesecakes online, Matt is bringing his perfected recipe to the high street as The Cheesecake Guy.

"I was just doing it from home but word of mouth and Facebook and Instagram, it's got a very good following now and it got to the point after first lockdown everybody was wanting a cheesecake," he told The Press.

York Press: Matt Kaplan has opened up The Cheesecake Guy on the Shambles, York.

"We had nothing to do but stay home and eat. It benefitted my business in the first lockdown and I could not do it in my home anymore.

"When we saw that particular spot in the Shambles we just jumped on it."

From mango and passion fruit flavours to chocolate heaven, there are lots of variations to try.

Resident favourites include strawberry and cream, salted caramel Creme Egg, biscoff, Crunchie or Maltesers.

Matt said: "It's kind of nice to say, well my Grandfather had a shop years ago in New York and generations later I have a shop.

"It feels like it's just been in the blood this whole time.

"I think York needs something different so that's what we're trying to focus on.

"My wife's originally from Leeds, she was working in the States when we met and when we came over here for our honeymoon we said, 'I like York' and we decided to make the move.

York Press:

"It's a beautiful city. The Shambles is like the most iconic street here and to have a shop on the Shambles, it's like you can toot your own horn."

And, in a bid to show Brits what a real American bagel is like, Matt will also stock bagels made by The Streetlane Bakery. Customers can enjoy a mix of fillings including the classic cream cheese combination.

He said: "When we first moved here it was very difficult for us to find a proper bagel and, coming from the States, English bagels are just not the same."

The Cheesecake Guy is expected to open in the next few days.