Steph Lowe, founder | New Forest Biscotti
Amberwood, Lower Pennington Lane, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 8AN
When did you set up New Forest Biscotti?
I started playing around with recipes in the Summer of 2008. A few months later of creating the perfect Biscotti, I bravely fought the November wind and rain and set up my stall on Lymington's historic harter market, and the Biscotti empire was born!
Why did you set up the business?
My Mum gave me the idea - originally just for Christmas gifts. I took it to the next stage when I saw the influx of coffee shops popping up everywhere! I thought...hmm there's not really any yummy biscuits available to have with a afternoon tea break. So, taking the biscotti recipe, I thought how can I change this traditional Italian biscuit in to a local delicacy?
I contacted Sarah Richards at The New Forest Marque, "I said I want to use local ingredients and to join the Marque!" Now I have 60% New Forest Marque ingredients (25% free range eggs from Noah's Ark Farm and 35% New Forest Marque flour from Cottons Craft Bakers).
Tell us about your products?
New Forest Biscotti are designed for dunking! I have created over 6 flavours to sit every mood, including Coffee Bean and Hazelnut. The biscotti is solely bound together with free range egg, and have no preservatives, colourings, hydrogenated fats or artificial flavourings. I have a range of Gluten Free biscotti and as I add no dairy fats to the base mix over 50% of my range is non-dairy too.
What's your best seller?
Ooohh that's a tough one. It is a tie with the White Chocolate Almond & Vanilla bean (divine dunked into a creamy hot chocolate!) and the more traditional flavour of Citrus Fruit & Almond
(great with breakfast teas, herbal teas & coffees!)
Where does your inspiration come from?
I am the food version of an alcoholic. I think about food all the time and ways to satisfy people's tastes. All my recipes are 100% mine! I have tried, tasted and sold over 28 flavours now and all of them a success.
Where can we buy some of your delicious biscotti?
You can come see me on Lymington Market every Saturday (weather permitting) or visit Setley Ridge Vine Yard, Truffles of Lymington, Tilly’s café of Ferndown, Sunnyfields Farm shop –Totton, Leyland Country House, Lymington, Breezes café, Fareham, or find New Forest Biscotti on the Menu at the Haven Bar & Bistro,Lymington, Whitley Ridge Hotel- Brockenhurst, Picolo Mondo's- Milford On Sea, The Chesil Rectory - Winchester, The White Star Tavern- Southampton and many more places.
When did you join the Marque?
November 2008, best thing I ever did- I have never advertised and have been approached purely from people logging onto New forest produce website!
Why did join the Marque?
Because I wanted to use local ingredients and to work with the other like minded business people. It's like a co-operative, we all try our best to help each other out- whether it's knowing where to source the best honey or swapping a pack of biscotti for a nice pastry treat after a long day on the market!
What are your plans for the year?
Well, I now sell Fair Trade ground coffee, and home made vanilla sugar for the perfect coffee in the comfort of your own home, after all what's a coffee with out biscotti?!. I also sell Non gluten brownies, they are so popular with people with wheat allergies or just the average chocoholic!. I am planning to sell more Fair Trade coffee and source local herbal teas to compliment my Lemon, Honey & Ginger Biscotti.
I am also expanding into an Industrial unit with fellow Marque member Natasha Moore of Perfect Preserves, where we will be sharing a Kitchen. So watch out UK, be prepared to dunk like you've never dunked before!!
To find out more about New Forest Biscotti or to place an order call Steph on 07523519230 or visit www.newforestbiscotti.com