Dauntsey Preserves started four years ago with a simple aim: to make good use of excess produce from the garden. Word spread quickly, and what began as a way of not letting fruit go to waste has grown into a business with over 80 product lines, a presence at more than 200 events a year, and stockists in over 50 farm shops, village stores, garden centres and delis across the region.
That kind of growth from a home kitchen is no small feat. Attending more than 200 event days a year means Dauntsey Preserves is out meeting customers regularly, building the loyal following that has helped the range grow to over 80 product lines and land on shelves right across the South West.
The business still produces from home, but now alongside a commercial production unit fitted out with stainless steel, steam-jacketed boiling pans. That extra capacity means they can meet growing demand from its stockists while keeping the same care and quality in every batch.
Claire joined Taste of the West after two years of trading, having noticed how many other producers and farm shops displayed award logos. Nervous about entering at first, Dauntsey Preserves won Gold with its very first entries. Dauntsey Preserves has entered every phase of the Taste of the West Awards, and one of its first Gold-winning products also holds Great Taste stars. The business now holds over 70 awards in total, many of them from Taste of the West.
Claire said “Having awards logos on the label gives customers confidence and speeds up decision making. We always explain how rigorous the judging process is, and how useful and constructive the judges’ feedback is.”
Looking ahead, Dauntsey Preserves’ ambition is to keep producing award-winning, delicious products, while building the brand further and growing the trade side of the business.
Join Taste of the West and become part of the South West’s food and drink community. Find out more at www.tasteofthewest.co.uk/membership.
Find out more about Dauntsey Preserves at dauntsey.co.uk and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
