Founded 1999 by Mark and Maria Whitehead, who ran a cafe in Hawkshead and began bottling the chutneys and relishes they served with meals. Demand from customers wanting to take jars home grew into a full-scale food producer. After the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak reduced visitor numbers, the couple decided to sell by post and through shops rather than rely solely on passing trade. Production now takes place in a restored 16th-century barn near Esthwaite Water, a mile outside the village, using a small-batch approach with no artificial preservatives, gluten or nuts. Jars of chutney, relish, marmalade, curd and mustard are made in copper pans following recipes developed in the original cafe kitchen. The company has received more than 60 Great Taste Awards from the Guild of Fine Food. The original cafe premises in the village square now operates as the retail shop, with a daily tasting table for visitors to sample the range before buying.
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