A Message from the
Hawkshead Relish Company
We first connected with Andrew back in 2016 and since then we have built up a great relationship, he understands our business, our ethics and our products, but more than that over the years he and the Courtyard Marketplace have become friends as much as customers, we have watched his business grow and build from the original shop through many difficult times and they are so inspirational in the way in which they showcase artisan producers and really get behind the brands they stock. We feel very honoured and consider them part of our wider Relish family.
Maria Whitehead MBE
Co-Owner, Hawkshead Relish Company
A history of Hawkshead Relish
Hawkshead Relish was founded in 1999 when Mark and Maria Whitehead started making Relishes, Pickles and Preserves for their busy Lakeland Café using locally sourced ingredients and traditional recipes.
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The emphasis was firmly based on great quality ingredients, using freshly roasted spices and developing combinations that really work giving layers of flavour to enhance the dishes that they are served alongside. Key to this was the fact that they are all natural, no artificial flavourings, colours or additives, and they are all both Gluten and Nut free, and most are also vegan.
The business was growing quickly when Foot & Mouth disease struck the region in 2001. The family café business suffered dramatically as the visitor numbers dropped significantly but, being ever resourceful, the couple embarked on building the Relish business up. With assistance from the bank and local grants they moved into a 16thC redundant agricultural barn on the edge of Esthwaite, close to Hawkshead village, and began wholesaling their product range.
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All products remain handmade, using traditional open pans and now covers over 100 products, from Jams and Marmalades to Sauces, Pickles and, of course, Chutneys.
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Our emphasis is very much about the community and being a family business is very much our beating heart.
