Business

Alumni show great taste

Published 9 September 2011

Two University of Brighton graduates are proving a success in the jam and relish market by conjuring up unusual flavour combinations – including Rhubarb and Rosemary jam.

Imogen Davis and Ivan Downes started their business Huckleberry's Produce Co. whilst studying business at Brighton and in just their first year they have already collected a prestigious award.

Their Strawberry and Balsamic jam received a One Star Gold Great Taste Award from the Guild of Good Food which used 350 experts to blind taste more than 7,400 entries from 1,600 companies in the hunt for the 'wow' factor.

Ivan said: "We are delighted to win such a recognised award... to be acknowledged by some of the most reputable and well established companies is a great feeling.

Ivan graduated in Business Studies BA(Hons) last year and Imogen graduated in English Language with Media BA(Hons) in 2009.

Ivan said he used skills learned whilst undertaking entrepreneurship and digital marketing modules in his degree course to establish Huckleberry's. He said: "I have been directly practicing what I learned."

Ivan and Imogen, both in their early 20s, are working from White House Poultry Farm near Battle, East Sussex, and source as many local ingredients as possible. They use vegetables and fruit from their own garden and even forage ingredients from the Sussex countryside including sloe berries, crab apples, wild garlic and rosehips.

Ivan and Imogen at Bermondsey Market, London

They pride themselves on their unique and innovative combinations including Golden Beetroot and Horseradish relish, and Purple Piccalilli. Latest flavours to leave their kitchen are Plum and Earl Grey jam and Bramble and Mint jelly.

Huckleberry’s is about to launch a new chutney and the hunt for new products is an ongoing quest. Ivan said: "We're constantly looking to stay one step ahead by continuously creating innovative new flavours based on the seasonality of our wonderful British produce."

Huckleberry's can be found online at www.huckleberrysproducestore.co.uk and at London Farmer' Markets.