The story of Hawkshead Relish Company - Juicy Jams and Savoury Sauces

In this episode, we talk to Maria Whitehead MBE, Director at Hawkshead Relish Company,

The story of how they went from a cafe in the Lake District, to a multi Award Winning Artisan Food Producer shipping products worldwide.

In 1999, from a busy cafe in the Lake District Town of Hawkshead, 2001 being impacted by the foot and mouth outbreak and everyone being told to stay away from the countryside.

Having started with a small range of 2-3 products, they found out that Mark had the knack for coming up with great new recipe ideas and the success of the Relishes and Preserves lead to an increased production which meant the little shop was groaning at the seams as the range kept growing to 100 products. Mark's imaginative and great tasting products lead to Hawkshead Relish also winning over 60 Great Taste Awards.

During the chat with Maria, we discuss:

• 2001 from today, making a drastic pivot due to foot and mouth
• Deciding to not work with the supermarkets and actually pulling out of a deal
• 'Greedflation' - As a business deciding to not put prices up on ever increasing supply challenges
• THE B WORD - As an export champion of the North West with D.I.T and the impact that the business had immediately from Brexit and currently
• Next steps for the family business