 From their 60 acre crop at the foot of the Cawdor Hills, Glen and Gilli Allingham are the only growers of the premium Porcelain garlic in the UK. The couple began growing an acre of Hardneck garlic in 2000 as part of a research project with the Scottish Agricultural College. The trial was so successful, that the pair went to visit garlic growers in North America to discuss how best to develop their ideas. Convinced they had discovered an untapped market with a new strain of garlic, The Really Garlicky Company was launched in 2001.
Alongside garlic bulbs, their product offering includes garlic cream cheese, butters, mayonnaise, soups, sauces, relishes, breads, oatcakes and seasonings as well as their award winning Eazy Garlic. Eazy Garlic is 16 clove sized portions of 100% crushed garlic with no added preservatives which is sold frozen to preserve the quality and flavour. They have won numerous awards including, 'Made in Britain' Farm Entrepreneur (2008), the Local Food Category at the Q Awards (2008) for their Eazy Garlic, and three Gold Great Taste Awards (2006) for their garlic bread, garlic relish and garlic butter. Gilli also won The Country Living Enterprising Rural Woman award in 2003.
- Why do you do what you do?
We love good food – the sense of achievement you get from growing, processing and selling something from start to finish is hard to beat.
- Of which achievement are you most proud?
Winning the Waitrose/Country Living Magazine ‘Made in Britain’ Farm Entrepreneur Award in September 2008.
- What is your most memorable moment?
Meeting Rick Stein and Chalky when they came to film us for ‘Food Heroes’
- If you were Prime Minister, what one thing would you do to encourage more people to eat British Food?
Invite Rick Stein and Jamie Oliver to join the Cabinet!!
- What is your favourite food and why?
Garlic, obviously!! It’s so versatile and improves any dish, except sticky toffee pudding...
- What are your predictions for the future of British food?
The year ahead will be difficult for those producing high value food, more than ever they will have to demonstrate value for money, high quality, traceability and fantastic flavour.
- If you were an advertising executive what slogan would you use to promote/sum up British food?
Consume your Countryside!
- What is your credit crunch tip?
Good food doesn’t need to cost the earth. Source ingredients locally, use cheaper cuts of meat and cook from scratch rather then buying expensive ready meals.
- What's on the menu for this evening?
Chorizo burgers from Sillfield Farm in Cumbria, sandwiched inside a Really Garlicky Ciabatta, home made potato wedges and our own delicious Aioli to dip them in. Yummy!
- How can people get hold of your produce?
Go to www.reallygarlicky.co.uk for a list of delis, farmshops or our online shop.
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