From a Simple Start to National Recognition
Jill Davis, a farmer’s wife in Riverina, never imagined that her casual venture into making relish with local women would evolve into a national business. What began as a fun activity among friends has transformed into Jill’s Cuisine, a renowned producer of tomato relish and chili tomato products, distributed across Australia.
“It all started as a bit of fun,” said Jill, recalling her early days in Australia after moving from England. “We were farming rice, wheat, and sheep in Tocumwal when a group of wives invited me to join them in making tomato relish. At the time, I had no idea what it was!”
The group used homegrown ingredients—tomatoes from one farmer, onions from another—to make their first batches of relish. Jill was fascinated by the process and soon began producing more relish to share with friends and local stores in nearby towns like Tocumwal, Deniliquin, and Berrigan.
Growth in Demand and a Coles Opportunity
As demand for her relish grew, Jill’s products expanded to 38 independent stores. A chance encounter at a tasting event in Albury’s West End Plaza led to an unexpected opportunity. A man who tasted the relish encouraged Jill to pitch her products to Coles supermarkets.
“I didn’t think I was big enough to supply Coles,” Jill admitted. “But he explained that even small producers could supply select stores, so I decided to take a chance.”
Despite skepticism from her husband Robin, Jill contacted Coles and secured a meeting with one of their executives.
“I was only in the meeting for 20 minutes, and they said yes! The executive even joked about how many stores I wanted to supply,” Jill said, laughing. “I started with just one store, but now we’re in 854 Coles stores across Australia.”
A National Success Story
Jill’s Cuisine has not only expanded its reach but also earned accolades along the way. The business won the “Best In-Store Execution” award at Coles’ inaugural supplier awards night, where Jill shared the stage with global brands like Coca-Cola.
“It was surreal,” Jill said, remembering the night. “When my name came up on the screens, the whole table cheered—it was an overwhelming experience.”
Today, Jill and Robin produce 1,100 jars of relish each day from their small factory, located 15 kilometers north of Albury. Their products can be found in independent stores, tourist attractions, Harris Farm Markets, and hundreds of Coles outlets nationwide.
A Business Built on Quality and Affordability
Despite the business’s success, Jill remains committed to keeping her prices affordable. At around $4 a jar, Jill’s relish is one of the most reasonably priced on the market.
“People keep telling me to raise the price, but my philosophy has always been to keep it low and focus on turnover,” she explained. “I want it to be accessible to everyone, not just something people buy for gifts or hampers.”
Looking to the Future
Even in their 70s, Jill and Robin are not slowing down. Plans are underway to install a second vat, allowing them to increase production and reduce their workweek to three days.
“We’re producing 5,500 jars a week now, but with the new system, we’ll be able to make 6,600 jars in less time,” Jill said. “It’s all about working smarter, not harder.”
Jill’s Cuisine is a story of passion, growth, and dedication to quality. From humble beginnings, Jill has built a business that continues to thrive while staying true to its roots.
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