A local artisan producer is gearing up for a beautifully busy season as St Clears-based Little Grandma’s Kitchen prepares to make a first appearance at this year’s foodie favourite, the Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival which will take place over the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend (April 17-18).
Husband and wife duo Richard and Jennifer Compton produce a range of artisan chutneys and marmalades; curds, preserves, mustard, jams and spreads – all from their own home kitchen in the heart of St Clears – made to unique family recipes.
“It really is a completely family affair” says Richard.
“Jennifer is in charge of the kitchen and does all the cooking and I work on labelling and the various other things needed to support the business.
“It actually all began because of a family event – when our daughter Claire and her husband Nigel decided to get married, we catered for their wedding and included a selection of chutneys. So many people asked where they’d be able to get some for themselves that we thought we’d go for it and the rest is history!”
Most of the products are based upon a selection of the couple’s grandmothers’ original recipes which had in turn been handed down by their own mothers.
All are made in small batches to retain their individual flavour using seasonal, local Welsh produce and Welsh ingredients wherever possible.
“We’ve adapted certain recipes to suit the modern consumer but in general, we stick to the traditional family recipes and we’re proud to still be doing that”, added Richard.
“We’ve worked so hard to keep our heads above water during the last few years, which have been tough for so many in our position.
“We had to diversify – picking up a lot more wholesale with local farm shops for example and focused more on our online sales which helped so much.
“We’re also involved with Carmarthen Food – an online market which allows customers to collect their orders once a week, or a group of us will deliver. That has benefitted us and over 80 other local producers hugely and is still getting really good traffic, which is great.
“But it’s so good to have something in the calendar again and we’re really looking forward to heading to the Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival and being able to showcase our products to a whole new audience.
“We’re introducing two new spreads for 2022 – a chocolate and also a peanut butter variety so we’re looking forward to lots of feedback!”
Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival event organiser Polly Wilson added:
“As a festival we really do champion our regional, artisan producers and it’s great to have Little Grandma’s Kitchen with us this year for the first time. We’re looking forward to a cracking event and sampling everything Little Grandma’s has to offer!”
Little Grandma’s Kitchen will be at the Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival from 17-18 April.
