RICK STEIN’S FAVOURITE SRI LANKAN CHUTNEY TO BE MADE IN CUMBRIA
The Demels range of authentic Sri Lankan Chutneys – and Rick Stein “Food Hero” – has been purchased by The Ultimate Plum Pudding Company and production has been moved from Ulverston to their Kendal premises.
At first glance, a company making traditional puddings and one making authentic Sri Lankan pickles may seem to have little in common. That was the initial thought of Carole Taylor and Bernice Humphreys, founders of the Ultimate Plum Pudding Company.
“When we received the sales details for Demels we were intrigued because we’ve loved their chutneys for years, but as we looked further into the possibilities, we started to get very excited about how the products could fit in with our company. Our business is extremely seasonal – so our production facilities are quiet at various times of the year – giving us the capacity to produce pickles and chutneys”
“Demels pickles continue to mature in the jar, are ambient and have a 2 year shelf live… our puddings continue to mature in the basin, are ambient and have a 2 year shelf life…. both puddings and pickles are carefully produced in small batches…. Also the customer fit was perfect – high quality multiples, mail order and good independent farm shops and delis – so, we quickly saw beyond the initial strangeness of the product fit and thought “yes”! So – in a vaguely Victor Kyam sort of way – we loved the products so much that we decided to buy the brand!”
“Banda, Demel’s Sri Lankan chef who has been with the company since it began in 1996, will continue to oversee production of this authentic Sri Lankan product. We also have some new product ideas under development – which we’re all extremely excited about!”
“We feel that the products are superb, but that they’re a very well kept secret at the moment. Apart from limited listings in Booths, the products are available through around 100 independent retailers. One of our first challenges is to educate people about Demels chutneys. They are so much more than a bit on the side…. Yes, they’re great with cheeses and cold meat, but they’re so versatile and they can liven up a whole range of food. Try the tomato chutney mixed with mayonnaise or crème fraiche for a super dip, warm up the apricot and ginger for a spicy sauce for vanilla ice cream (yes, really), hot & spicy mango is great on a sandwich with chicken or ham – together with some fresh, crunchy lettuce… you can also use them as a glaze for meat or fish, a marinade or BBQ sauce, a dollop will liven up a stir fry…. or added to mashed potatoes for a bit of eastern flavour”
“We’ll be doing things a little differently to the previous owners. We will continue to focus on our sales in the North West, of course. However, we feel that Demels has a wider appeal – and we see it as a national brand.
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