Richard & Leona Kane from Broighter Gold won a Gold award in 2015 as well as a Silver and Bronze at the 2014 awards. The Kane Family have been farming in Myroe for well over 100 years, working the land at Broglasco Farm, Limavady.
Leona with Jacob & Emily
You can find more details on their website or to find out more about these and other winners and finalists you might like to view our 2015 directory.
When & why did you start your business?
I started my business completely by accident. We were just in the processing of renovating our house and I had just had my first son Jacob. We had got our new range in that day and of course I wanted to cook on it. We were having two steaks and salad and of course I had nothing to cook it with- so my husband Richard went down to the barn and brought up some of the cold pressed oil that he grew and we used it that night. It was the smell that first got me first, and it didn’t burn. The rest is history!
Who is your food inspiration?
Northern Ireland is such an inspiration in the last number of years – the amount of small producers that are supplying amazing chefs both here at home and further afield is a credit. I think we should all be really proud of our food and how we can all promote each other’s products together.
What do you love about your job?
Every day is different between meetings, bottling, cleaning tanks, tours, taking the kids to school and running days to collect them. Attending functions to represent food for NI. Meeting ambassadors, and then going door to door to sell our products. It is mental but I love it!
What is your favourite part of the day?
Lunch time and dinner time!!
What was your best day since you started this business?
Honestly we have so many amazing days, from a customer just picking up the phone to say they have just tried a new flavour and loved it, to having William Sitwell, Master Chef Judge and Jimmy Doherty coming to our farm and awarding us the UK Best Food Producer. We are very privileged in so many ways just to be producing and making a product that our customers love and keep on buying.
Where do your ingredients come from?
Everything is grown on our family farm. We are a little different than others in that we only grow one single variety on one type of soil to ensure our cold pressed rapeseed oils have a milder taste and a rich golden colour.
Tell us about the people you work with?
They are great – Broighter Gold wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all the support and help we have got from family and friends to now having full time paid staff!! I work very closely with my husband and our small team, we have four in total and then part time staff to cover fairs and events. Never seen the day I would be saying that I work in the old pig sty, my stable, and the old milking parlour!! We converted all these buildings so our pressing room, shop and offices now take over. We a compact area that we all get along very nicely!
What three words would you use to describe yourself/your business?
Myself, Happy, Content, Ambitious… My Business, Quality, Honest, Different.
What do you think is the key to success?
Being honest, and passionate about what you are making. If you don’t love your product no one else will! Be who you are and your customers will appreciate you more. We are just a small family business who enjoys creating quality food, and we don’t have to fool people in any other way. Taste and Quality will always come through!
Has there ever been one single moment which has changed how you look at your business?
Yes! I have learned who to share things with and perhaps hold my cards closer to my chest…. Say no more!
Has there ever been a situation which started out as a negative but turned out for the best?
We come up against challenges every day, but I’ve always had the can do attitude that things can and will get done. You just have to overcome everything that is put in your way otherwise we wouldn’t get anywhere in life!