Our story
A 1950s family recipe, lovingly revived. This is the story of a milkman, a jar of proper piccalilli, and the family who brought it back.
Charlie's original piccalilli recipe, in his own hand.
The recipe that started it all
In 2015, the Calder family rediscovered Grandad Charlie's original piccalilli recipe and decided to give it a go.
They quickly realised they'd uncovered something special: proper piccalilli, the way it used to be, from a time when a jar sat in every family pantry. Made with the very vegetables Charlie grew in his own back garden and greenhouse.
The man behind the jar
Charlie was a milkman who lived most of his life in South Shields, Tyne & Wear, and served his country in the Second World War.
A passionate cook and a devoted family man, he had a real knack for flavour. Today we make every jar in his memory, using the recipes and the spirit he left behind.
Bold flavours, small batches, proper ingredients.
What we stand for
Proper, fresh ingredients in every small batch. No shortcuts.
From mellow piccalilli to habanero heat, made to be tasted.
A family that rolls its sleeves up and does things the proper way.
Great food that brings people to the table and keeps them there.
Charlie writes down his piccalilli recipe
The Calder family revive it and give it a go
First Great Taste Award
Sillylilli wins the Condiment World Cup
Seven flavours, 150+ shops
From kitchen to brand
The first batches went to family and friends. The feedback was so good that Christmas hampers followed, raising money for a school in Tanzania. From there came farmers' markets, then national award recognition, all without losing sight of where it began.
Two more flavours joined the original: Chillililli, with its sweet chilli glow, and Sillylilli, the spicy one Andrew now eats with just about everything. The three originals are still our best sellers, and the range is now seven flavours strong.
Recognition
2020 · 2022 · 2024
2023 · 2024
2021 · 2024
And in 2022, our Sillylilli was crowned champion of the Condiment World Cup.
In their own words
Real people, real jars. Here's what they had to say.
“Buy this, it's amazing!”
“The nicest Piccalilli I've tasted in my existence.”
“The best Piccalilli I've ever had.”
“The best I've ever tasted.”
“I've never liked Piccalilli until today.”
“The best Piccalilli ever.”
“Gave it to my son, and he said it's the best piccalilli he's ever tasted.”
Seven bold flavours, hand-made in small batches, just as Grandad Charlie made it.
"We take pride in our values which are providing quality, fresh and unique flavours, hard work and making our customers smile."
