Preparing to deal with the Christmas rush

Aug 13 2008 by Chris Knox, The Journal

A FARMER’S wife is set to expand her fruit cake making business and is already gearing up for the Christmas rush.

Ann Hustwit of County Durham-based Jenkins & Hustwit is already keeping a firm eye on the festive period after receiving a big order for Christmas puddings.

Mrs Hustwit believes the order from one of her major clients in London could help her improve her annual sales. Although she admits the business has been hit by increasing ingredients prices, she is hopeful it will be able to expand with the help of a new range including a hot ginger cake made with local ginger beer.

She set up Jenkins & Hustwit with business partner Hilary Jenkins, also a local farmer’s wife, and began by baking and selling fruit cakes from her farmhouse kitchen. The cakes proved a hit at local farmers markets and rural shops, before attracting the attention of Asda, which now stocks the cakes at its North East stores.