Coming from a long line of bakers, cooks and chefs, Sally Holt has always loved cooking and enjoying good food. Holt chatted with the team about Sallys Chutneys, achieving her long-time dream of writing a cook book, and two exciting new products.
What is your company background, how did you start the business?
“In 2014 I achieved a dream I had for a very long time. I had always wanted to write a cookery book to leave to my children with all of the old recipes from my childhood in Christchurch as well as my favourite ones, and some borrowed ones.
Some Old, Some New, Some Borrowed, Some Blue Cheese and Blueberries is about sharing the love of good food and good company, with good wine.
Sallys is the result of writing the book and asking the question, what now? It is the product of my passion to cook for my family, my extended family and for people I don’t know. I love trying and creating recipes.
I am proud to produce a range of gourmet sauces, pickles, chutneys, mustards and pastes, adapting family recipes and creating new ones. The ingredients are fresh, some spicy, some not. They are not run of the mill products; each has their own different twist and flavour.
Our motto is ‘sharing a gourmet taste of Canterbury.’”
What are the current product range and variants and how do these products stand out in the market?
“The full range consists of the good old Tomato Sauce, Spicy BBQ Sauce, Plum Sauce, Strawberry, Balsamic and Black Pepper Jam, Blackberry, Vanilla and Basil Jam, Pear and Ginger Chutney, Beetroot and Orange Chutney, Cranberry and Port Chutney, Chilli Jam, Plum Paste, Pear and Cabernet Paste, and Wholegrain Guinness Mustard.
Apart from the Tomato Sauce and Guinness Mustard the products are gluten-free.
Our flavour combinations are not ones that come off the shelf every day. Produced in small runs we have put a lot of time in developing different tastes.
We also produce hand-crafted wooden gift crates filled with our products. These can be personalised with company logos and individual names. The crates are sought after by our corporate clients as a personal gift to their clients. Individuals also purchase these to use as presents.”
Has there been any recent company news?
“We have added two new products to our range over the past few months, a Tangy Plum Sauce, and a Cranberry and Port Chutney.”
What are the plans for the business moving forward, is there any expansion on the horizon?
“A marketing programme has been undertaken to increase the number of corporate clients.”
Where are your products currently available to buy, and are you looking at or wanting to expand your availability? If so, where would you like to see the product situated?
“Our products are showcased at the Christchurch Farmers Market and the Halswell Markets in Christchurch. At this stage, the products are purchased directly from us. We have had several approaches from retail outlets to stock the Sallys range.”
