Can you tell us about the founding story of Seasons of the Glens and how it all began?

We are a not-for-profit social enterprise, driven by our primary goal of fostering social benefits through our commercial endeavours. As a social enterprise, we function much like a traditional business, selling goods and services to generate profit. However, instead of maximising financial gains for shareholders, our profits are reinvested into our social objectives, which are aimed at helping others and benefiting the community. Our core activity revolves around the organisation and delivery of markets, which serve as vital platforms for small start-up businesses, farmers, producers, and creative artists. These markets also function as vibrant community hubs, fostering connections, alleviating loneliness, and creating welcoming experiences that draw shoppers back into our town centres. When you choose to support us by purchasing our products, you're not merely making a transaction – you're actively contributing to a larger cause and making a tangible difference in society. Plus, you're treating yourself to a delectable delight, brimming with happiness in every jar!

How did the pandemic affect the business?

The pandemic necessitated a temporary halt to our physical market operations. In response, we shifted our focus to online sales and launched ‘The Artisan Market Online,’ offering a diverse selection of locally-made products, including art, crafts, and produce from Northern Ireland. This diversification proved highly successful and remains a thriving aspect of our social enterprise today.

What motivated you to create your own product(s)?

The inspiration behind developing Devil's Churn Caramel Sauce stemmed from two things: firstly, to create a decadent product that resonates with Seasons of the Glens ethos of championing small businesses; and secondly, from our team's collective experience and passion for producing food. We were driven by a desire to showcase the finest Northern Irish ingredients sourced from fellow artisan producers wherever possible, while also meeting the demand for indulgent dessert options in the market.

Tell us about the Devil’s Churn Campfire Sauce - what is it?

Devil's Churn Campfire Sauce is a rich and luxurious dairy caramel sauce, handcrafted in small batches using the finest quality Northern Irish ingredients. One key ingredient is beechwood smoked sea salt, produced by Ruairidh Morrison of North Coast Smokehouse, a fellow award winning artisan business also located in Ballycastle. The smoked salt inspired the name ‘Campfire’. In addition to the salt, the sauce features generous amounts of Northern Irish dairy products, including fresh cream and real butter, which add to its decadence.

The sauce itself is thick enough to spread or warm gently to drizzle over desserts like apple crumble, brownies, cake, and cheesecake, or even to enhance beverages like coffee and hot chocolate. In addition to the Campfire Salted variety, we also produce Irish Whiskey, Irish Cream, Original, and Butterscotch varieties, each with their own unique flavour profiles, with some exciting new flavours set to be released later this year.

What inspired the name, “Devil’s Churn”?

Our product name takes inspiration from the captivating landscape of Northern Ireland. Named after the iconic landmark, The Devil's Churn, located just beyond Pans Rocks in Ballycastle, in the Causeway Coast and Glens Region, our creation pays homage to the rich history of the area. The Devil's Churn is a natural sea cave with ties to the 18th and 19th century salt works. Now the cave is a landmark with a history, it can be accessed by concrete stairs down into the centre of the rock, it is a hole in the rock which forms an underwater tunnel to the sea nearby, it is a truly strange site to see the power of the ocean as it floods and then empties the tunnel with an uncontrollable force and echoing thunder. When you look into the Devils Churn Landmark, with its angry swirling waves, it doesn’t look dissimilar to a pan of Caramel Sauce bubbling away!

The term devil is also a nod to the fact that our product is a little bit naughty, maybe something to enjoy in moderation (if you can). Churn – is a nod to the local dairy products used to make the sauces. Heavenly Good - Well, you're 'buying social' and helping to support our social cause, plus, we think it tastes heavenly good :)

How did winning an award at the UK/Irish Qs impact the organisation?

Winning an award at the UK/Irish Q’s had a significant impact on our organisation. It motivated our team by recognising their talent, hard work and dedication. The positive feedback and constructive criticism received from judges has provided valuable insights that have helped us refine and improve our product. The awards also served as recognition of the high quality of our product, boosting our reputation and credibility in the market.

What sets the Campfire Sauce apart from traditional alternatives?

While we absolutely adore our Campfire Sauce, we believe it's best to let the judges do the talking here as we may have a bias! We’re confident that the unique flavour profile, craftsmanship, and premium quality and provenance of our sauce speak for itself. We invite you to taste and experience the flavour for yourself – we're sure you'll agree with the judges' verdicts! ‘quote from judges maybe’ ?

What inspired you to participate in the awards, and what benefits have you gained from the experience?

We've participated in various awards across the UK and Ireland, and our entire range has achieved remarkable success across all flavours in all the awards entered. Each awarding body evaluates different aspects, providing invaluable feedback which is crucial for brand building and product development. The experience also brings the team some excitement and boosts morale, making the effort truly worthwhile. It’s fantastic to be able to celebrate alongside many of the small artisan producers we support through Seasons of the Glens and our artisan markets.

What advice would you give to other small producers looking to enter the Qs?

Be sure to take advantage of the significant reduction on entry fees for small businesses. Pay close attention to the feedback provided by Judges, as it can offer valuable insights for improving your product. Entering awards not only boosts credibility but also provides an opportunity to showcase your product to a wider audience and gain invaluable feedback to enhance its quality and appeal. We encourage all the small businesses we support to enter awards, and also to ensure they are entering credible awards.

Tell us about the feedback you received and the impact this has had on the business/brand

The feedback we received from IQF and QF judges was overwhelmingly positive. We were truly delighted by the glowing commentary, with some Judges declaring it the best they've ever tasted, while others praised the quality of our dairy ingredients. One particularly memorable remark even cleverly played with words in their feedback making a link to our brand name and tagline, describing our caramel as 'hand made by angels.' However, it was the constructive feedback on our packaging that proved really valuable. This insightful input has greatly aided us in further developing our brand. We've carefully taken this feedback on board and are currently in the process of reviewing and enhancing our packaging design to ensure it commands more attention on the shelf.

How does Seasons of the Glens maintain a balance between innovation and tradition in its product range?

We maintain a delicate balance between tradition and innovation in our product range by incorporating several key principles. Firstly, we uphold traditional methods of small scale production, ensuring that our products are crafted with care and attention to detail. We also prioritise the use of local produce wherever possible, reducing food miles and supporting local farmers and producers while celebrating the rich flavours of our region. Additionally, we try to create products with as generous a shelf life as possible considering its fresh ingredients, making the product more appealing to retailers. We also strive to continuously innovate and create new flavours, keeping our range fresh and appealing. By combining these elements, we are able to honour tradition while embracing innovation, ensuring that our product range remains both timeless and exciting.

What advice would you offer to aspiring food entrepreneurs who are just starting their journey?

Firstly, trading at local artisan or farmers markets offers direct customer feedback, allowing you to build relationships within the foodie community, test market demand, and generate initial capital, a large number of our current large brands within UK and Ireland started their journey at markets stalls, and a majority of the award winning artisans we support through Seasons of the Glens started their journey or launched their products at local markets. Focus on sourcing high-quality ingredients locally to enhance taste and support local producers wherever possible, collaborating where you can. Secondly, entering food awards provides invaluable independent feedback from industry experts, while enhancing your product's market appeal while adding credibility to your brand. Develop a strong brand identity through memorable branding and consistent messaging. Embrace social media and online platforms to reach and engage with customers effectively. Finally, stay flexible and adapt to feedback, continuously seeking opportunities for improvement and innovation to meet evolving customer needs and stay ahead in the competitive food industry.

What does the future hold for Seasons of the Glens and/or Devil’s Churn?

Looking to the future, Seasons of the Glens and Devil’s Churn are aiming to grow while remaining true to our artisanal nature. Our vision includes expanding production capabilities to meet growing demand, all while preserving the quality that defines our products. Additionally, we are refreshing our packaging to better reflect our brand identity and appeal to a wider audience, giving the product a stronger shelf presence. Introducing exciting new flavours will add some excitement, while strategically increasing our network of stockists ensures broader accessibility throughout the UK and Ireland. Ultimately, each sale contributes directly to our social cause, enabling us to continue supporting small businesses and bring people together through the delivery of local markets. We aim to grow in a sustainable way that helps our social cause. 16.

Where can people purchase your product(s)

Our products are available at various retailers, including local market stalls and our online store: https://www.artisanmarket.online/collections/devils-churn

Fancy winning an Irish Quality Food and Drink Award? Entries are open until Friday 3 May 2024, and we have a heavily-reduced entry fee for Small Producers! Find out more here: https://irish.qualityfoodawards.com/IQFDA24/en/page/enter-awards