The extraordinary thing about Helen Gee’s jams is the fact that they’re all made in the good old-fashioned way – an open pot, a big wooden spoon and plenty of elbow grease. Only the very best quality fruit and natural ingredients are used with no artificial colouring or preservatives. This, of course, is what gives the products their very distinctive taste – real homemade jam.
Fruit is locally grown and the range includes blackberry and apple, strawberry, raspberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, rhubarb and ginger and plum. There’s also a range of chutneys and relishes that includes cranberry and port, lemon mint jelly, red currant jelly, hot red pepper relish, autumn chutney, lemon curd and brandy butter.
Helen Gee, founder and owner of G’s Gourmet Jams has been a well-known face at many of the important food markets and outlets for many years including Farmleigh and Naas and at places such as the National Ploughing Championships, the National Craft Fair, the Tullamore show and other speciality fairs. She is now one of the country’s top class jam producers.
As you’d expect, G’s Gourmet Jams have picked up many awards over the years, including a number of Taste Awards.
Originally from Carlow, Helen moved to Abbeyleix when she married tillage farmer Cyril. Before branching out into G’s Gourmet Jams, Helen was well known for her home baking which she sold in Abbeyleix and in the Portlaoise Country Markets, of which she was a founding member. She set up the business in 1999, with some funding from the Laois LEADER programme.
Helen’s amazing jams, relishes and chutneys are now available in Supervalu and good food shops all over the country including Good Food Ireland Gourmet Food Shops like Mary-Kathryn’s Deli.