Focus Friday: The Scullery
Fri Sep 11 2015
We have teamed up with Tesco Taste Bud to bring you the best new Irish food producers, and tell you all about their products. Today, on Focus Friday we talk to Florrie Purcell of The Scullery
The Scullery is a truly home grown business that started from humble beginnings and has been expanding ever since. Florrie Purcell set up this artisan food venture and was inspired to do so by her childhood with fond memories of her mother sharing a passion for food in their Scullery in Nenagh Co.Tipperary.
Can you tell us a bit about your product?
The Scullery creates a delectable range of handmade Christmas Puddings, Relishes, BBQ Sauces, Pasta Sauces and Pickles. Our multi-award winning range is handmade in small batches delivering a consistent, delicious fresh homemade flavour. All of our sumptuous products are free from gluten, preservatives, fat & additives – what you see is literally what you get!
What inspired you to create your product?
My mum instilled a passion for food in me at a very early age in our Scullery. I have wonderful memories as a child cooking with mum and The Scullery range is definitely inspired by my mum’s chutneys and preserves. I set up the business in 2004 catering for Foodservice. However, with the downturn in the economy, in 2009, I diversified and re-branded the business to focus on retail and bringing our products to customers in supermarkets across Ireland and bringing a contemporary twist to traditional recipes.
How has your product evolved since it has launched?
I have extended my range from just relishes to now include pasta sauces & BBQ sauces with the help of Tesco who supported me to expand into these categories through the Taste Bud Programme and journey I embarked with them. Since launch we have expanded our range and number of stockists throughout Ireland. We have won numerous awards since launch including 15 Great Taste Awards, 8 Blas na hEireann awards, 2 Irish Quality Food Awards.
Who is your customer?
Everyone who enjoys that little bit of extra flavour to their meal. The versatility of our products means that one jar of relish or sauce can go a long way.
What tips would you give to someone who is starting out and wants to launch a food-related product/business?
- Always listen
- Test the market by doing Farmers markets
- Research the market
- Get guidance and assistance any where you can for example Bord Bia & LEO’S
- Make sure you have a good accountant who has an understanding of costings.
Where can you buy this product and how much will it cost?
The Scullery range stocked in Tesco stores includes relishes, pasta sauces, BBQ sauces and seasonal products.
Relishes:
- Corn Relish €3.29
- Tomato Relish 3.29
- Cucumber Pickle €3.29
- Beetroot Relish €3.29
- Onion Marmalade 3.29
BBQ Sauces:
- Smokey BBQ Sauce €2.99
- Chicken Wing Sauce €2.99
- Hot & Spicy BBQ Sauce €2.99
Pasta Sauces:
- Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce €2.99
- Vine Tomato & Jalapeno Pasta Sauce IQFA 2014 €2.99
- Roasted Pepper & Garlic Pasta Sauce €2.99
What does the future hold for your business?
The next couple of months are shaping up to be an exciting time for The Scullery; we have three products shortlisted at both the Irish Quality Food Awards and the Blas na hEireann awards. I am also very proud to be a finalist in the Network Ireland Women in Business awards in October.
Longer term, I hope to continue to build the business and as a I achieved BRC this year I am hoping that I will soon be making products for the Tesco finest* range as well as having The Scullery range stocked in Tesco stores nationwide.
The next generation is also keen to develop the business; my son David has great plans for me to change the name to ‘The Scullery & Son’! (David is pictured below at a recent Tesco fundraising event for Temple Street Children’s Hospital)
The Scullery is one of the nearly 70 Irish food and drink producers that have participated in the Tesco Taste Bud programme in partnership with Bord Bia.
Social media handles:
#TescoTasteBud