Lesley started making and selling a range of jam, relish, chutney, chilli oil and cordial from her home in late 2008 and received such a positive response that she decided to start to produce a range to sell at the markets organised by Jersey Tourism.
Lesley decided right from the outset that she would only use local, seasonal Genuine Jersey ingredients.
With the arrival of spring she will be found producing Rhubarb Jam and Spiced Rhubarb Chutney from Joe Freire’s outdoor grown crop as well as a variety of tomato, pepper and chilli relishes using produce from Paul Blake at La Chasse. Her ever growing range of chilli relish come in three heats and include: Tomato Chilli Jam with Lemongrass and Ginger (Mild), Sweet Red Pepper (Medium) and Twisted Sister Tomato Relish (HOT).
In June her attention turns to wild hedgerow elderflowers from which she makes a very popular Elderflower Cordial (great with Champagne or even Gin & Tonic!) and an Elderflower Cordial with Ginger.
Through the summer she continues to use local tomatoes, peppers and chillies and also uses strawberries and raspberries from Joe Frèire to make a delicious Classic Raspberry Jam and Strawberry Jam with Pink Champagne.
With the arrival of autumn Lesley will be harvesting her own Bramley apples to make her best seller: Indian Spiced Apple Chutney which comes in both mild and HOT as well as her range of apple jellies including Apply, Thyme & Calvados (in time for the Spirit of Christmas markets) and Blackberry and Bramley Apple Jam.
As you travel through the leafy green lanes around the island look out for Lesley as she harvests roadside blackberries for her Blackberry and Bramley Apple Jam.
With the onset of winter Jersey is abundant with winter vegetables which Lesley uses along the award winning local ale to make Liberation Ale Chutney. It is also the time of year to make Red Onion Chutney with Black Pepper and Beetroot and Horseradish Chutney. Three delicious traditional chutneys.
In the run up to Christmas she will also be in Weighbridge Place for the Spirit of Christmas Market organised by Jersey Tourism where she will be selling her range packed and wrapped – ideal Christmas gifts – she looks forward to seeing you soon. Four jar posting boxes are also available.
Customers are encouraged to return her jars and bottles as they receive a discount off their next purchase when they do: 10p per jar or bottle. There are no artificail additives, colourings or preservatives in any of her products which typically last for a year when stored correctly and should be used within a month of opening.
If you have a crop of any fruit that you want to turn it into jam or chutney or if you have any ideas, old recipes or want something special, give Lesley a call on 737277 and she will be happy to chat it through.
Lesley will be at many of the Weighbridge Place markets on Thursday’s during July and August as well as the regular Saturday market outside the Parish Hall in St Aubin’s.
