starring founder Melanie Mulherin
Flavour-filled condiments for people who love to eat, share, and entertain. Small batches, all-natural, simple ingredients.
Describe your products in three words?
Bold. Small batch. Shareable.
What inspired the creation of SaltSpring Kitchen?
It all started with my mother-in-law teaching me how to make preserves, which we served in our family restaurant. Later, I began selling them at the farmers’ market on Salt Spring Island. It wasn’t long before one small batch turned into many, and SaltSpring Kitchen Co. was born – built on the idea that food tastes better when it’s shared. We’re a woman-owned business and a living-wage employer in a small rural community, and that continues to inspire me. We’ve grown from a local favourite into a national fridge staple for people who love great flavours and entertaining. I’m so proud of the team and everything they do.
Scene Stealers:
Which product is your personal favourite, and what’s the perfect way to enjoy it?
Right now? The Peach & Spicy Pepper Spread. It’s sunshine in a jar – sweet, spicy, and really versatile. I love it stirred into a vinaigrette, spread on a sandwich, or paired with creamy cheeses. Tandoori Chutney always has my heart, it’s a bit of a hidden gem in our lineup, but I love the Indian-inspired flavours with savoury meals.
What makes SaltSpring Kitchen “uniquely BC”?
We’re rooted on Salt Spring Island – surrounded by ocean, forest, and a community that values quality, craft, and connection. Our products are made in small batches by a real team of locals, and every jar reflects the creative, independent spirit the Gulf Islands are known for.
Behind the Label:
What’s one thing people may not know about how it’s made?
We started out hand-filling every jar at local markets, and while we’ve grown a lot since then, that hands-on approach hasn’t disappeared. Today, we work out of our own small jam factory on Salt Spring Island, where our team preps everything by hand. We’ve added some equipment to help us fill and label jars (there are a lot of them – we now serve over 800 stores across Canada!), but every batch is still made with care by a small, dedicated crew who love good food and good tunes.
Enjoy Salt Spring Kitchen’s delectable spreads at ShowCanada’s Closing Night Dinner on May 29th and learn more about them here: