Christmas came early for a Yorkshire artisan producer after she made her TV earlier this month.
Sarah Puckett, owner of multi-award winning York business, Puckett’s Pickles, featured on the Channel 4 programme, Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas on Tuesday 9th December, after she reached the final of a Christmas tree decorating competition.
Heworth based Sarah has made a successful business out of her fondness for eating and pickling vegetables, but her love of cruciferous vegetables also extends to Christmas decorations with a difference.
Sarah explained: “I grew up in a household where food was revered and I have always loved pickled vegetables, both for their taste and their beauty.
“Mum and I always made garlands made from vegetables, herbs and flowers to decorate the house at Christmas, so when I saw a competition to decorate a Christmas tree that would be judged on TV, I had to enter with a vegetable inspired creation!”
Sarah was one of over 6,000 applicants and was delighted to reach the final four and win a trip to Blenheim Palace to dress a five foot tree that had been grown on the estate.
Sarah dressed the tree with sprout garlands, tomato baubles, purple cauliflowers, bright green romanescos, artichokes, January red cabbage, pheasant feathers, sea holly, spray roses and Yorkshire Wolds lavender. The end result was spectacular, despite the tree toppling over half way through dressing it.
“It was a heart stopping moment, but the other contestants rallied round to help and we managed to start again.
“Although my tree did not win the competition, I had a fabulous time and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I was really pleased that I held my own against the other ladies, who were stylists and designers, but I couldn’t have done it without the support of my superb suppliers; Busy Lizzies Flowers, Loves Greengrocers, Wolds Way Lavender and my ‘Christmas Minion’ Jennie Palmer from Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil.
It’s been a manic couple of months for Sarah and Puckett’s Pickles, with the normal Christmas rush combined with filming for the programme that will be watched by millions and winning the Taste of Yorkshire category in the White Rose Awards in the same week.
“Once Christmas is over, I’m just looking forward to vegging out for a while!” Sarah concluded ironically.
Sarah hand makes Yorkshire Pickles and Chutneys using seasonal produce in her kitchen and started Puckett’s Pickles in 2012.
You can buy Puckett’s Pickles from farm shops, delis and cheesemongers throughout Yorkshire and online from www.yorkshires-finest-foods.co.uk.