HOVEA producer, Franklin & Clement, has won a Silver Medal at the Royal Melbourne 2024 Australian Food Awards, with the judges scoring the Jammed Chilli entry an impressive 88.8 out of a possible 100 points.

The prestigious national award for the Perth Hills small batch producer marks just one year since founder, solopreneur and head jam maker, Emilie Jones, left the corporate world in hot pursuit of taking Franklin & Clement Jammed Chilli to the world.

Before hitting the shelves of some of Perth’s most prominent gourmet grocers and specialty stores, including Boatshed Market, The Herdsman Market and The Re Store, Jones spent almost 10 years gifting the now award-winning jam to family and friends.

“Sharing food is my love language so for almost ten years that’s exactly what I did. I gifted my Jammed Chilli to family and friends and, in turn, friends of family and friends,” Ms Jones said.

“Testing the jam for so many years gave me resounding confidence in the product. Everyone loved it, everyone wanted the recipe, and everyone told me that I should seriously consider commercial production.

“The elegant heat factor means the jam is incredibly moreish. The combination of tomato, garlic, ginger and chilli balance perfectly for an indulgent umami flavour base. The kick from the chilli comes in a little late, lingers for a beautiful moment and leaves you wanting just a little bit more.

“I dreamt about creating a brand and going into production for almost a decade, but I never really believed it would happen. Creating something from scratch is hugely overwhelming. Small business is incredibly rewarding but it’s also relentless.

“But a lot can happen in 12 months, especially when you believe in your product and your mindset is fixed on finding solutions for the hurdles you will inevitably face.”

She said it was massive for a WA small batch producer like Franklin & Clement to win such a prestigious and national award and with so many local producers doing equally great things in food at the moment.

“It’s a really exciting time be supported and endorsed by the Buy West Eat Best group and to be part of the wider West Australian food scene,” she said.

All producers who enter the Australian Food Awards have the opportunity to benchmark their products against their peers and gain valuable feedback from a panel of leading industry experts.

Franklin & Clement award winning Jammed Chilli is available online at www.franklinandclement.com.au or in store at Perth’s most prominent gourmet grocers and speciality stores.