Charlie and Ivy’s

PRODUCER: Charlie and Ivy’s, East Riding
PRODUCT: Charlie and Ivy’s Smoked Garlic and Black Peppercorn Bread Dipper
REGION: North East 
CATEGORY: From the Earth (Artisan)

WHAT THEY DO

Jennie and Adam Palmer launched Charlie and Ivy’s in 2014 to add some flavour to their farming. 

Adam took over the reins on the family’s 134-hectare farm aged just 19, and the couple diversified into rapeseed oil production in 2008, believing it to be a great British alternative to olive oil. Oilseed rape grown by the family and by neighbouring producers is pressed on the farm, only once and using no chemicals or heat processing, before being bottled and labelled on site. The pair believe the chalky Yorkshire Wolds soil lends their single estate oil a distinctive gentle and nutty flavour.

The couple launched the Charlie and Ivy’s brand in 2014. They believe it’s important to be prepared to invest in the future for their young family so they named the brand after their two children.

Jennie and Adam were inspired by the continental tradition of eating bread with olive oil, and wanted to create their own range of flavoured British rapeseed oils. The Smoked Garlic and Black Peppercorn Bread Dipper is made by smoking the farm’s oil at a traditional smokehouse nearby, then adding garlic oil and cracked black pepper.

Starting with 40 variations, the pair hosted tasting evenings for friends and family complete with scorecards, which resulted in the range of six made today. Jennie says, “This is how we have always worked. At the end of the day you need to love the flavours too; there’s no fun in making a product that you wouldn’t want to use yourself.” 

Family and friends make up the company’s staff, and Jennie adds “There is a happy vibe to the business that extends from the factory to market stalls and food festivals”.

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID

The North East judges were impressed with Jennie and Adam’s innovation in adding value to an existing product to create a new and interesting one, as well as the exceptional provenance. The panel highly rated the team’s passion and family focus.

VISIT THE WEBSITE:  charlieandivys.co.uk