Flavours that spark joy at The Paddington Pantry
What began as a jam experiment during lockdown has blossomed into The Paddington Pantry - a vibrant Queensland-based gourmet brand celebrated for its colour, creativity, and joyful culinary storytelling.
“When everybody else was making sourdough, I thought I'd make jam to go with the sourdough, except I'd never made jam before,” says founder Amy Simpson, a Brisbane-based cook and entrepreneur, whose love of flavour and experimentation turned a lockdown hobby into a thriving business.
That first batch - a wattle seed and raspberry jam - turned out so well it sparked an unexpected journey. What began as a passion project quickly grew into something bigger. “I never set out to start a business doing this. But I just kept on following my heart and everything fell into place really beautifully.”
Amy Simpson from The Paddington Pantry
The Paddington Pantry now crafts beautifully presented, small-batch jars that elevate everyday meals and make delicious gifts. From tropical-bright Summertime Jam to Hot Sesame Sauce, Red Hot Chilli Jam and Chocolate Fudge Sauce, the colourful range of products capture attention at markets, online, and through their stockists.
Along the way, there have been plenty of long nights, including when Amy used to hand-cut her own labels at the kitchen table. “I bought the cheapest guillotine I could find and I sat there guillotining every piece of label to stick onto my jars. It was an absolute labour of love.”
A labour of love that also extended to Amy’s family: “It was my mum who used to sit at my dining table for two years, labelling all of my products. She hated it because all her nails were always chipping!”
A turning point came when the Brisbane Festival asked her to create something in line with its signature hot pink branding. The result was Rose Gin Jam, tinted naturally with rose petals. “It’s sort of like a Turkish delight flavour,” she explains. “That’s when I started realising there was a good opportunity in corporate gifting.”
Since then, her bespoke jars have been included in gift boxes for names like the Sheraton Mirage and Emporium Hotel, and even the Mater Hospital. “It just screams joy when you open the box because it just makes you feel happy, to pick up these jars that are clearly made with a lot of care,” explains Amy.
The brand philosophy combines creativity in the kitchen with a sharp marketing instinct. “I normally put my marketing hat on first,” she says. “I can make the most delicious jam, but if it’s not marketed right, then it’s not going to sell. Our brand is homely with a good touch of bougie. Something that’s got a little bit of razzle-dazzle to it that makes you go, ‘Oh, what’s this? I can’t wait to try that.’”
That mix of homeliness and bougie flair is evident in the award-winning range. The tropical Summertime Jam - made with Bowen mangoes, pineapple, and passionfruit - has become a household favourite.
More recently, the Spiced Cherry Charcuterie Paste has taken centre stage. “It just won three golds [awards] in the last four months, two of them being at the Ekka. It sparks interest and excitement when you’re having a gathering. You’re excited to share it with loved ones.”
New flavours are always in development. A soon-to-launch Drunken Apricot Charcuterie Paste, made with Cointreau, has also already won a gold medal at this year’s Ekka before hitting the shelves. It will be part of upcoming gift packs designed with teacher’s gifts and Christmas entertaining in mind.
For Amy, the joy comes not just from the products themselves, but from the reactions they inspire. “I love when people taste it and the first sound they make is ‘ooh’. When I hear that sound, I know I’m onto a winner.”
Looking ahead, her vision is clear: “I really hope that it’s become quite a household name… not as a pantry staple, but as something that’s shared amongst loved ones. I want people to feel like you’re not having a charcuterie board if you don’t have Paddington Pantry stock on there.”
To find out more and browse The Paddington Pantry’s range of delicious products, visit https://paddingtonpantry.com/