Isabelle Jepson is the creator of Izzy’s Kitchen which produces a delicious range of chutneys, preserves and cordials, using fresh local ingredients. Isabelle has a dedicated fan base on the island, and is very popular with tourists wishing to take a taste of Jersey home with them. Here Isabelle tells us more about her passion for cooking.
Being French, I have always been passionate about food. Part of my heritage is that fresh local ingredients are essential. Recipes are researched, taken apart and put back together, rarely ending up just the way they started and I am always looking for a twist that makes my products that little bit special, adding that “je ne sais quoi”.
I started making preserves for dinner party gifts and Christmas presents. In 2003 I gained a City and Guilds Certificate in Professional Cookery. When I finally retired from the IT world, I started making preserves on a bigger scale due to their popularity.
Using quality ingredients is vital. I use wine, cider and balsamic vinegars, unrefined sugar and ripe fruits and vegetables, preferably in season. Whenever possible I use local produce. With research and imagination, the best can be brought out of each of the seasons. A good chutney is about creating something totally delicious from entirely natural ingredients and finding the right balance of spices and sugar for colour and texture, and most important giving it time to mature. All my preserves are handmade in small batches to keep the fresh flavours of the ingredients, and all are free from artificial sweeteners and additives.
I am very proud of my Liberation Ale Chutney, it is my own recipe and hugely popular. Also popular are the exotic chutneys: Jamaican, Mexican, Indian, Mango, Bengali, and Sweet Thai. One of my bestsellers is “Hot Bitch!” Tomato Chutney which customers first buy for the name, then come back for more!
The jams I make are very popular, especially Balsamic Strawberry Jam with Black Pepper, Strawberry and Vanilla, and Damson and Amaretto. I also create a Chilli Jam with Ginger and Lemongrass which is amazing with any seafood. My range of cordials is very successful, with Ginger and Lemongrass being a definite favourite amongst my customers. Some mix my cordials with sparkling wine, Champagne, or Gin and Tonic, others just add water. I also offer gift wrapping for all my products, making them an ideal present.
My inspiration comes from places I have been and people I have met. Trying new ideas is the fun and creative part of the job! My new products for 2013 are “Little Miss Piggy” Bacon Jam (delicious with scrambled eggs), Temptingly Sweet and Wickedly Hot Strawberry Chutney, a West Indies Hot Sauce and Salted Caramel “ Salidou” (from my Native Brittany).
My range is successful as it is different and unique, and I am very proud and happy to say that the majority of my customer base is local. However, I also create ranges that are popular with tourists, especially my homemade Jersey Black Butter. I designed a range of gift wrapped mini packs with tourists in mind. These are 3 jars of 100ml each, which are the perfect size to take in an airplane cabin. There are three themed variations: a Jersey pack (Liberation Ale Chutney, Black Butter and Strawberry Jam with Vanilla), a Hot pack, and a Cheese pack.
Izzy’s Kitchen preserves are available from St Aubin and Royal Square Markets, Crafts and Food events, Durrell, Relish Delicatessen in the Fish Market, Jane James Coastal Ceramics in Gorey (opening in April) and Oatlands Village in Guernsey.
For any enquiries or if you wish to discuss a special one-off present or corporate gift ideas please contact Isabelle directly on either 630905 or 07797 726405 or alternatively e-mail izzyskitchen@jerseymail.co.uk You can also keep up to date with the latest products from Izzy’s Kitchen by “Liking” her Facebook Page.
Being French, I have always been passionate about food. Part of my heritage is that fresh local ingredients are essential. Recipes are researched, taken apart and put back together, rarely ending up just the way they started and I am always looking for a twist that makes my products that little bit special, adding that “je ne sais quoi”.
I started making preserves for dinner party gifts and Christmas presents. In 2003 I gained a City and Guilds Certificate in Professional Cookery. When I finally retired from the IT world, I started making preserves on a bigger scale due to their popularity.
Using quality ingredients is vital. I use wine, cider and balsamic vinegars, unrefined sugar and ripe fruits and vegetables, preferably in season. Whenever possible I use local produce. With research and imagination, the best can be brought out of each of the seasons. A good chutney is about creating something totally delicious from entirely natural ingredients and finding the right balance of spices and sugar for colour and texture, and most important giving it time to mature. All my preserves are handmade in small batches to keep the fresh flavours of the ingredients, and all are free from artificial sweeteners and additives.
I am very proud of my Liberation Ale Chutney, it is my own recipe and hugely popular. Also popular are the exotic chutneys: Jamaican, Mexican, Indian, Mango, Bengali, and Sweet Thai. One of my bestsellers is “Hot Bitch!” Tomato Chutney which customers first buy for the name, then come back for more!
The jams I make are very popular, especially Balsamic Strawberry Jam with Black Pepper, Strawberry and Vanilla, and Damson and Amaretto. I also create a Chilli Jam with Ginger and Lemongrass which is amazing with any seafood. My range of cordials is very successful, with Ginger and Lemongrass being a definite favourite amongst my customers. Some mix my cordials with sparkling wine, Champagne, or Gin and Tonic, others just add water. I also offer gift wrapping for all my products, making them an ideal present.
My inspiration comes from places I have been and people I have met. Trying new ideas is the fun and creative part of the job! My new products for 2013 are “Little Miss Piggy” Bacon Jam (delicious with scrambled eggs), Temptingly Sweet and Wickedly Hot Strawberry Chutney, a West Indies Hot Sauce and Salted Caramel “ Salidou” (from my Native Brittany).
My range is successful as it is different and unique, and I am very proud and happy to say that the majority of my customer base is local. However, I also create ranges that are popular with tourists, especially my homemade Jersey Black Butter. I designed a range of gift wrapped mini packs with tourists in mind. These are 3 jars of 100ml each, which are the perfect size to take in an airplane cabin. There are three themed variations: a Jersey pack (Liberation Ale Chutney, Black Butter and Strawberry Jam with Vanilla), a Hot pack, and a Cheese pack.
Izzy’s Kitchen preserves are available from St Aubin and Royal Square Markets, Crafts and Food events, Durrell, Relish Delicatessen in the Fish Market, Jane James Coastal Ceramics in Gorey (opening in April) and Oatlands Village in Guernsey.
For any enquiries or if you wish to discuss a special one-off present or corporate gift ideas please contact Isabelle directly on either 630905 or 07797 726405 or alternatively e-mail izzyskitchen@jerseymail.co.uk You can also keep up to date with the latest products from Izzy’s Kitchen by “Liking” her Facebook Page.
