From farming to food entrepreneurs - the journey of a food loving young farming couple
On a farm nestled in a quiet corner of the Yorkshire Wolds, young couple Adam and Jennie Palmer began their artisanal journey in 2008 by cold pressing the oilseed rape that grows on their 200 acre farm.
Eight years earlier, 19 year old Adam Palmer had cut short his college course and plans to travel to take over North Breckenholme Farm after the sudden passing of his Grandfather. Historically, the farm had grown rape as a fuel source, but Adam realised the value of the crop as a culinary oil and Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil was born.
North Breckenholme Farm is situated near Malton in North Yorkshire and commands a stunning position 807 feet above sea level on top of the Yorkshire Wolds that were characterised by David Hockney's paintings. It is the chalk of the hills that gives the oil it characteristic mild, nutty flavour.
Having met Adam when they attended school together, Jennie originally trained as a costume maker and worked in theatres throughout Yorkshire. Their first child, Charlie, was born in 2010 and Jennie then committed herself to the oil business, putting her love of food and creativity to good use in recipe development and marketing.
Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil is a family business in the truest sense of the word. Not only do family and close friends help with the bottling, labelling and selling, but the ‘Cooking with Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil' recipe book was conceived, designed and published by Jennie's parents and the Palmer children have inspired a new lifestyle brand, Charlie & Ivy's.
Charlie & Ivy's has just celebrated its first birthday. It is a range of 17 British rapeseed oil based gourmet dipping oils, dressings and mayonnaise that were created for home entertaining following much experimentation by the food loving family.
Jennie Palmer said that the idea for Charlie & Ivy's evolved as the couple experimented with their favourite ingredients and flavours:
"We've always enjoyed different bread dippers when eating out or when entertaining at home, so we decided to share some of our favourite home-made bread dipper combinations, but ready mixed for convenience."
Charlie & Ivy's was launched following a successful test marketing campaign at the Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair in London and has been rolled out at national shows, much to the delight of five year old Charlie, who is always willing to lend a hand!
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Photos:
Please find attached a few low res images to give you a flavour of the Palmers and their products - please ask if you require any in high res
For samples, more information or to arrange an interview with Adam or Jennie Palmer, please contact Tracey Baty at three60 marketing on
Direct line: 01430 871360
Mobile: 07971 961574
E mail:traceybaty@three60 marketing.co.uk
Web:www.three60marketing.co.uk
Notes to editors
The Palmers are now pressing 40 times more oilseed rape than they did in 2008. For more information about Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil, please visithttp://www.yorkshirerapeseedoil.co.uk/
For more information about Charlie & Ivy's, including the award-winning Smoked Garlic & Black Peppercorn dipping oil, please visithttp://www.charlieandivys.co.uk/
For more information on The Cooking With Rapeseed Oil Recipe Book that includes a foreword by Michelin starred chef, James Mackenzie, please visithttp://www.yorkshirerapeseedoil.co.uk/shop/recipe-book.html. The book retails at RRP £12.99 and is available at retailers and online.
Baking with rapeseed oil also offers a dairy-free option for many recipes too, as the butter can be replaced with the oil. And for a first-hand expert tip, Jennie recommends using two thirds rapeseed oil with one third milk to avoid a densely-textured cake.
Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil has won a series of awards including won the Best Cooking Oil category of the national Farm Produce Awards and Gold Stars in the Guild of Fine Food Taste awards for its Original Rapeseed Oil, Oak Smoked Rapeseed Oil, Honey and Mustard Dressing.
Cold-pressed oil has been through the presser just once, meaning it retains all of its taste, colour and health benefits.