Business is booming for champions of chutney

Leicestershire-based Simtom Food Products has landed a £220,000, three-year contract, with the Ministry of Defence to supply mango chutney to British troops around the world.

The family-run business in the village of Desford has also won a £250,000 year’s order to supply 370,000 jars of chutneys and marinades for 200 UK and Ireland Aldi stores.

Jai Chandarana and his son, Bhavin, employ 15 people, but are now planning to take on extra staff and double production over the next two years. The company, which was started in the late 1970s, has over 40 product lines, plus a new line of 20 premium restaurant-style sauces. And, despite the economic turndown, it is on target to increase turnover by 15% this year.

Bhavin said: “We have been helped by ongoing orders from ready-meal factories in the UK, who are enjoying a boost as curry-lovers cut back on eating out.”

Simtom won the Best in the East Midlands award earlier this year in the Great Taste Awards, which celebrate speciality food, for its Biryani paste.