Sweet and Spicy - interview with Paul's Pickles

Way back in March I had the great privilege to meet Paul of Paul's Pickles at the MK Handmade and Vintage Extravaganza. I was so impressed by his delicious range of pickles and chutneys and the really simple yet beautiful packaging.

Paul very kindly agreed to do a little interview for the blog. So here's some food for thought as well as mouthwatering pictures of the handmade goodies. Mmm!

What led you to set up Paul’s Pickles?

I went to our local farmer’s market but couldn’t find anything that I particularly wanted to buy… so I went home and tried making something I would want myself – locally sourced (where possible), locally produced chutneys and relishes, and I haven’t stopped since.

 

So you keep bees…?

I have two hives at the moment, on the friendly farm behind our garden. They produce enough honey for my family and friends, and to be used in some of my chutneys.

It’s probably unfair to ask but do you have a favourite pickle or chutney?

I would have to say chilli-lilli – piccalilli with a kick up the backside!

Do you have a favourite dish which incorporates one of your products? Can we have the recipe?

My favourite would have to be Piccalilli – I like it spread on toast, covered with cheddar cheese and grilled.

Without giving away trade secrets how do you go about creating a new product?

I get a lot of feedback and ideas from customers at fairs and the farmshops I stock, particularly when it comes to adapting traditional recipes to a more modern taste, or giving them a bit of a twist. I came up with my trademark Carriots of Fire because I wanted to create something completely different, with a unique taste and texture. I had a few trial and error runs, trying techniques I had picked up from different recipes, and landed with my most popular pickle! Sometimes I trawl through traditional chutney recipe books and adapt the ingredients to what’s in season locally – this is how Carriots of Fire became modified into Chilli-zini when I found myself with a tonne of local courgettes.

Can you name three major influences on your products?

First is the good local produce which will always influence which ingredients I choose to use – with piccalilli for instance, I use broad beans in spring and runner beans in summer. Feedback is really key too – mainly the faces of those who test my hot chutneys at fairs (dubbed ‘The Man Test’), but also from friends and family.

My third would have to be the supportive, constructive criticism I get from my wife and daughters.

Can you name three things about where you live that benefit/inspire you and your work?

Sandy is a great place to live, and one of the many benefits is that Bedfordshire is a veg growing county with plenty of produce on your doorstep if you go looking for it. I’ve also found a lot of fantastic support in my suppliers and stockists in Sandy, and from the many generous local residents who will never forget to contact me when they have a glut of veg or fruit.

This year there’ll be street parties a go go with the Diamond Jubilee – which pickle would you recommend to her Majesty?

As a keen supporter of the Commonwealth, I’m sure she’d appreciate some Mango, Kashmir or Spicy Pineapple.

 

What can we look forward to from you in 2012?

I’ve already had a massive weekend at Milton Keynes Vintage and Handmade Crafts Fair in March, and I have the same event on the 26^th May. On Father’s Day I’m going to the Chilli Fiesta at Shuttleworth so we’re expecting a big turnout for the Man Test. As usual I’ll be at various Sue Ryder events throughout the year, so please check my website www.pauls-pickles.com and keep up to date with me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Pauls-Pickles.

Local loveliness

At the weekend I took the opportunity to check out a handmade and vintage fair in nearby Milton Keynes.

I had two goals in mind when I visited - I really wanted to see whether this was an event I might like to take part in and also discover lots of local goodies. The event was sited right in front of the entrance to John Lewis and Paperchase is just off to one side. Could a selection of handmade and vintage sellers really compete with the marketing prowess of these big boys? Well from the looks of it - YES! 

I arrived bright and early so that I'd be able to get cheap parking and chat to stallholders before things got busy. So at 9.15am you'd think it wouldn't have warmed up yet but there was already an impressive number of people browsing. By the time I left 90mins later, it was really busy. People were keen to chat to stall holders and to buy!

Vintage was definitely very well represented but there were a good number of handmade sellers too.  I was impressed by the variety of products for sale; ranging from cupcakes to recycled furniture, computer inspired homewares to vintage hair styling.

Stall holders were really friendly and I'm pleased to say I will be featuring a number of them on the blog over the coming months. It was great to find out more about the products; where people got their ideas and how to get the best out of their handmade goodies.

I hadn't intended to buy anything (honest) but found myself unable to resist a number of items. So what did I buy?

Well Rosie and the boys are all rather partial to pickles, chutneys and various other condiments and Paul's Pickles were hard to resist. I tried and bought both the Pineapple chutney (very good with Scotch eggs apparently) and the Kashmir chutney (which WILL be a gift if I can resist temptation). Paul has a real talent for making truly delicious pickles and for suggesting interesting recipes to use them with; he even makes his own honey. Check out the full range here! 

Another stall, another huge temptation. Caroline Jane had a truly amazing collection of vintage curiosities. I limited myself to this very cool toy crane. My youngest boy is one on Saturday and I thought it would make a great present which would last for years. I've noticed that all the vintage cars my boys play with really stand up to being thrown, bashed and treated with very little respect. The brand new plastic versions last about 2 seconds and don't look nearly as nice when artfully arranged on a shelf by mummy!

Sadly Caroline doesn't have a website I can direct you to but perhaps she might be at the next extravaganza and you can discover her interesting collection for yourself?

My final purchase was from the very talented Laura Eaglesfield of Ava and Arthur. Laura has a brilliant eye for colour and a fabulous selection of fabrics from which she makes a whole host of gorgeous things including this bird themed phone cover.

My phone is now safe from scratches and REALLY easy to find in my handbag. I have received loads of compliments on the cover already, which is lovely but Laura deserves the credit!

The next fair event is on the 26th and 27th May - hopefully I'll be there as a stallholder!