NOT a 9 to 5 Job …….
What happens when five people huddle under the meagre shelter offered by a market stall at the end of a Skye summer? They start hatching plans that’s what……!
In 2008, whilst conversing over a farmers market stall in the less than tropical location of Portree Square, crofter Calina MacDonald who produces jams, jellies and chutneys under the name “Calina’s Conserves”, smallholders Keith and Rachael Jackson who produce a wonderful range of traditionally reared meat products as “Earlybird Enterprises”, and artisan bakers Barry and Liza Hawthorn of the Isle of Skye Baking Company, hatched just such a plan, and so was born The Skye Food Company.
Over the year we had all had enquiries about selling our products further afield, making our products available to avid customers throughout the year regardless of their location and, not least, providing ourselves with some income throughout the quieter winter months. Rather than form yet another committee to further discuss the pros and cons of making our wares available to a wider consumer base or wait for user unfriendly “investment funding”, we took the bull by the horns (actually, Calina’s bull doesn’t have horns…..but Keith’s does!) and formed The Skye Food Company. We knew we all produced quality food that complimented each other with traditionally produced conserves, jellies and chutneys, slow grown and matured Highland meat and hand crafted bakery delights.
The Skye Food Company is a partnership of beautiful food with three local producers working together to supply the customer with exceptional quality food produced on the Isle of Skye. Customers can either phone up and order direct from each – or all – the producers or place an order online. The online “shop” also offers special occasion hampers and tasty “foody” gifts. This is very much a “hands on” company with all of us home-based and each of us undertaking and sharing the tasks involved with running a company of this kind – from designing the website to packing the orders. It is also very important that our customers know where their products come from – all items are produced and ingredients sourced as much as possible on the Isle of Skye.
Traditional production methods, simple, wholesome and locally produced are key factors in the products we offer our customers. MacLeod’s Tables wild venison and mutton ham (a superb delicacy, traditionally made using Soay sheep mutton, which can rival Parma ham any day..!), all butter traditional shortbread hearts and real ale (from Isle of Skye Brewery) oatcakes, Talisker chocolate spread (very indulgent!), Scottish recipe marmalade, rowan jelly and rhubarb and ginger jam (using family recipies handed down through generations) are just a few of the delicious delicacies on offer. It is food with provenance, where our customers can enjoy the flavours that come from purity of product and simplicity of production.
We each still run our own businesses as separate entities. Keith and Rachael have been smallholders at Orbost Estate since 2002 and from small beginnings have built up a herd of native breeds including Soay Sheep, Highland Cows and Iron Age Pigs whose products they sell from their on-farm licensed facility Earlybird Enterprises. Calina has turned what used to be a hobby producing “jams for the family and friends” into a fast growing enterprise run from the croft she shares with husband Donald (who enjoys the preserves, but prefers producing sheep and cattle…!). Liza and Barry, who are originally from South Africa but have spent a few years getting acclimatised to our rather less sunny weather on Skye, produce home-made delights ranging from traditional oatcake wedges to wedding cakes, including a number of speciality items.
Keith was recently overheard conversing about the benefits of being his own boss…”I don’t work a 9 to 5 job”……we can safely say the rest of us would indignantly exclaim “No! It is a 6am to 2am job…….regularly!”. What it boils down to is that we are all passionate about what we do – about great food crafted from quality raw materials, with care and attention to detail. Through the Skye Food Company we now have the opportunity to share that passion with others.
