Chawston Chilli Farm just outside St Neots celebrates supermarket listing.
Local producer with a kick on shelves at Waitrose Bedford as well as in St Neots...
Local producers, Shawn and Joanna Plumb have secured a contract to supply the first Waitrose in Bedford when it opens in Goldington Road at 7.30am on Thursday 9 August.
Their Edible Ornamentals chilli farm is based just five miles from the new shop and will supply Waitrose with three of their gourmet chilli sauces; Sweet Chilli, Anaheim and Pure Heat and their Luscious Citrus relish.
The couple lived in Texas near the Mexican border for nearly five years where Joanna worked at a hospital and Shawn was in the military. It was here that they tried their first jalapeño chilli, quickly developing a passion for Mexican-style food. When they returned to the UK in 1996, these keen gardeners were soon growing chillies in their vegetable patch at home. In 2001, they decided to set up their own chilli farm in Bedfordshire where they now grow over 70 different varieties of chilli, including some of the hottest chillies in the world.
The chillies are picked first thing in the morning and bottled by the afternoon, locking in the heat and flavour. As members of Tastes of Anglia, Edible Ornamentals were recommended to the Waitrose local and regional product manager to supply the supermarket. Joanna Plumb from Edible Ornamentals, said: “I nearly fell off my chair when Waitrose first asked to try samples of our product.
It has been great working with Waitrose, they are very professional and approachable. We are absolutely delighted that Waitrose Bedford will be stocking our chilli sauces, especially as the branch is so close to our nursery.
All Edible Ornamental products use the freshest ingredients prepared to the highest standards that reflect the reputation of quality for which Waitrose is renowned. “Our sauces all have different uses and are not just for chilli addicts like us!
Anaheim is a chilli/tomato salsa and is great with fish as it is not over powering. This one is mild and sweet, good for beginners.
Pure Heat is almost 60% chillies - Shawn likes to use it as ketchup but this isn’t for the faint hearted! Sweet chilli sauce has a hint of ginger which makes it different to other sweet chilli sauces, it works surprisingly well as a salad dressing on gourmet leaves.” Peter Ibbotson, Branch Manager at the new Waitrose in Bedford, said: “We have a fantastic variety of local producers in and around Bedfordshire and I’m pleased to offer our customers some really interesting local products when they do their weekly shop with us.
“I’m very excited to be stocking and supporting Shawn and Joanna’s Edible Ornamental gourmet chilli sauces as they’re based just five miles away and certainly pack a distinctive punch.”
