Neat rows of muslin swathed puddings line the stainless steel bench.
An oversized mixer with a giant creaming paddle and a gleaming two-foot oven await action in the new kitchen of Castlemaine-based business Pud for All Seasons.
Long-time friends Karen Kelly and Cassi Gunter launched their venture in March 2004. Initially selling only at local markets they are now also distributing their puddings in delis, restaurants and cafes throughout Central Victoria.
Production has doubled to 160 puddings a week, hence the move from Karen’s domestic kitchen to larger premises at the Castlemaine Enterprise Centre. Yet as Karen and Cassi tell it there may never have been a business at all.
“We were asked by a friend to host a stall at the Buda (Historic Gardens & Homestead) Christmas Fair and decided that puddings had the right seasonal flavour. On the day it rained and hailed and we hardly sold anything. In fact we spent the next month desperately trying to get rid of our leftover puddings. ‘OK’, we thought, ‘no more of that!’”
Twelve months later they were again making puddings for two local food and wine events but on these occasions they sold out and received orders. The timing seemed right and a business was born.
Using Karen’s great-grandmother’s pudding recipe as a base they have created three flavours – Traditional Plum Pudding (also available gluten free), Brandied Peach & Cinnamon and Double Choc & Orange with Cointreau – which they make, package, promote and distribute themselves.
Visiting local markets is a big part of their research and the feedback they receive has led to the creation of new products such as matching sauces and gift baskets.
Their vision is for the humble ‘pud’ to become a staple dessert and grace tables all year round.
“Because of its long shelf life, it really is a perfect standby for all occasions from a formal dinner party to an indulgent night in front of the fire, as well as the perfect gift to buy for someone who has everything!” said Karen.
Word of their traditional and contemporary puddings has spread to the city, tantalising Melbourne tastebuds, with interest from ‘Toorak dames’ to the Victoria Police.
As newcomers to the small-business world Karen and Cassi believe that a sense of humour is definitely important, as are their different strengths and experiences.
They admit they’ve got plenty to learn but in the meantime they’re having fun creating original taste sensations and raising the status of the ‘pud’.
This article was first published in CV Week, 30 September 2004
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