Smithy

Smithy's pickles

St John & Dolly Smith's Pickles - Sauces - Chutneys

A potted history...

Until recently, the pickles sauces and chutneys sold under the St. John & Dolly Smith label were enjoyed by our family and friends.

Now it is becoming more widely available at craft and food fairs and some shops, many of my customers have asked me how, or indeed why, I entered the pickle making business. They found my story very interesting and felt other customers would too!. So here is a brief explanation of how it all came about.

Several generations of my family are from Bangalore in South India. My father was born and grew up there. On leaving school he attended universities in Bangalore and then Calcutta, successfully obtaining two degrees. He then trained and qualified as a teacher, going on to teach in some of India's best schools, with many of his students reaching the very top of their chosen professions.

In 1965 we came to England so that my mother, Dorothy "Dolly" Smith, could be near her father who was unwell with a serious heart complaint.

My parents missed India a great deal and they soon began attending school reunions in the UK to reminisce with former classmates as well as students taught by my father. My mum in particular loved attending these functions for a good gossip. She always took with her, for friends, a number of bottles of pickle, usually brinjal (aubergine), and tomato sauce using recipes perfected by my paternal grandmother, Gertrude.

Sadly, in February 1993, my mum died. My father couldn't face these reunions without her and stopped attending them. This meant that the pickle supply to these reunions came to an abrupt halt.

One day in late 2000, I was in a kitchenware shop in Southall talking to the owner who is a friend of mine. Two ladies entered the shop and one of them asked him if he stocked "opper chatties". Oppers, if you're not familiar with them, are a type of pancake, lacy around the edges and soft and spongy in the centre. Usually eaten at breakfast, these can be either savoury or sweet and are very popular in South India. A chatty is the small, shallow earthenware pot in which the oppers are cooked. My friend who comes from Gujarat, is used to an entirely different cuisine and had never heard of them. The ladies turned to leave the shop and I said "oh, oppers, I love them, I haven't eaten any in over thirty years". With puzzled expressions on their faces, they continued walking towards the door, glancing back at me as they walked.

By way of an explanation, I called out to them "I was born in Bangalore, that's how I know about oppers". They came back into the shop. "So was I" said one of the ladies and we began talking. She then asked what my family name is and when I replied Smith she immediately ask "Are you Dolly Smith's son by any chance?" I said I was and asked how she knew my mother. Her husband was waiting outside the shop so she called him in and introduced him to me. Although I didn't recognise him immediately, I had met him previously as his mother and mine were the best of friends for over thirty years.

More chat followed during which they expressed their sorrow at my parents passing and their regret that "those wonderful pickles" were no longer available. "Do you make them?" they asked. I said I had never made any before, but sensing a perfect opportunity to have my ego massaged, I said I would have a go and I did.

The label looked bare with just pickle typed on it so I added my parents names, initially as a joke because the pickle was for their friends. But I was then persuaded to leave it on as "it sounded right!". I needed little persuasion as I feel that every bottle I sell is now my little tribute to my parents, to whom I owe so much.

Our pickles are made by hand using our own family recipes which are known to be at least three generations old. They contain no artificial ingredients, yet they DO NOT require refrigeration and will remain in perfect condition almost indefinitely. In fact, although suitable for immediate use, they improve with age. The freshest produce, small batch production and traditional methods ensure that these are the best pickles available.

Our current range include:

Brinjal Pickle (Aubergine) - 400g Jars

Hot Chilli Pickle - 400g Jars

Lime Pickle - 400g Jars

Scotch Bonnet Pickle - 400g jars

Apple Chutney - 400g jars

Hot Tomato Sauce - 250g Bottles

Six good reasons to buy our pickles are:

Our own family recipes, unchanged for three generations

The finest produce selected, prepared and cooked by hand

Contains no artificial preservatives, flavouring or colour

Suitable for vegetarians

Matures with time, ensuring a very long shelf life

No refrigeration required. Store them in your food cupboard

Try them ... You'll buy them!

Love Chris Smith

07973 687376

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