We talk to Kate, our new Administrator, to find out what she thinks of us so far!
Kate, you’re a Londoner born and bred, so how did you end up living in Devon?
It was literally a big idea that came to me out of the blue! I sold my business and my house, packed a van and headed towards fresh air, sea and countryside. That was eight years ago and I can honestly say I’ve never looked back.
Did you ever think you’d end up working at a chilli farm?
Of course not – why would I?! Back then, it never crossed my mind that I’d be working on a chilli farm in the middle of the South West, but what a great place to be. I’m surrounded by fields, nature, chillies and amazing people. I’ve only been here a few weeks but everybody has made me feel so welcome. Sometimes I have no words (which is very rare for a Londoner) – this job is already giving me the greatest experiences and excitement a girl can ask for!
Tell us more!
A lot of people think that being an administrator is just a desk job but it’s so much more than that. I can be taking orders over the phone, to packing them up, and lending a hand serving our wonderful customers in our farm shop … and all by lunch time. Then there’s the opportunity to help the team get ready for the events we go to all through the year plus trying new products. There’s no chance of me ever getting bored.
Speaking of new products, what are your first impressions of what we make at the South Devon Chilli Farm?
They’re just out of this world! The Chilli Jam is the best I’ve ever tried – I’ve already eaten four jars! Mum was a chef and she’d be so jealous to know that I’m surrounded by these amazing products.
Any favourites?
Apart from the Chilli Jam, I love the Fruit & Spice Chilli Chocolate and the BBQ Sauces. I would never have thought you could get a chilli BBQ sauce! I’ve been using them to marinate pork ribs along with our Hot Dry Spice Rub. My latest new thing is stirring the Cool ‘n’ Smoky BBQ Sauce into baked beans for a quick snack – delicious. I can’t wait to explore further with chillies and wake up my tastebuds with the heat!
We grow a huge range of chilli plants here at the farm – do you have green fingers?
I don’t know about green fingers. Purple, maybe, since that’s my favourite colour! I’m loving the ornamental purple varieties we grow like Purple Tiger, Explosive Ember and Purple Princess – all so pretty - so I might try my hand at growing some on a sunny windowsill.
Any final words?
Just a big thank you to Jenny and Amrit for giving me this great opportunity. I’m so happy to be working here and cannot wait to continue my journey through the years with all the adventures that are in store. Here’s to new beginnings!!