Booker posted a 17% surge in first-half profits as more chefs turn to the cash-and-carry and food delivery chain for ingredients.

The group, which supplies businesses including Loch Fyne Restaurants and Angus Steak Houses, said sales to caterers climbed 8.7% to £712 million during the 24 weeks to September 13. Fresh food performed well, with fruit and vegetable sales climbing 18%.

And Booker said it will hand shareholders a £60m windfall next year, after cash reserves swelled and underlying pre-tax profits climbed to £58.1m.

Booker, which serves 1.5 million customers, has grown sales to caterers every year since 2008, helped by its expanding range.

It also has a growing online delivery service, which serves customers ranging from prisons to cinemas and restaurants, and improved sales 11% to £369m.

Like-for-like sales increased 2.3% during the half year, and stripping out the impact of a 2.2% fall in tobacco sales, they were up 5%.

Chief executive Charles Wilson said its turnaround of the Makro business is making good progress, with the chain offering a "real contribution" to the group.

The Competition Commission formally cleared Booker's £140m takeover of Makro UK in April - more than a year after the acquisition was completed.

The takeover combined Makro's 30 UK stores with Booker's 172 branches.

It helped drive Northamptonshire-based Booker's total sales up 16.5% to £2.2 billion.

Mr Wilson: "Our plan to focus, drive and broaden Booker Group is on track.

"Through working together Booker and Makro are improving the choice, price and service for our retail, catering and small business customers."

But Booker saw a 1.1% fall in sales to retailers, dropping to £1.2bn.