Page 22 - Delicious - UK (February 2020)

Just one (large) square

allowed to melt slowly on your
tongue… That’s all you need to

savour Firetree chocolate. Each

type of bar comes from a single

MEET THE CRAFTER farm on volcanic islands in the
South Pacific, with the farmers
Jemma Taylor of Old Man &
Magpie makes evocatively paid above the market rate.
scented soy candles. She lives There are even tasting notes:
with her partner, furniture maker it’s chocolate-nerd heaven.
Garry (the ‘old man’), and her
£7 for a 65g bar; £40 for a tasting set of seven;
daughter Esme (nicknamed
firetreechocolate.com
Magpie) in Manchester.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN Originally I was a clothing
delicious. designer, but I went on a candle-making course
STAR and started experimenting with scents such as

cedarwood and juniper. Initially I made candles in THE DRINK I’M
the evening, but when I put the first batch on Etsy they sold well, DRINKING
so a year ago I took the big step of handing in my notice.
Did you do dry January? I have
MY INSPIRATION When I was working, Garry was doing a lot of
to say I didn’t. Half-dry February
the childcare along with his own business, and it was a struggle.
is my goal (don’t judge me), but
Now my work fits in well with our family. Our house has an
the early months of the year
amazing scent all the time. In the early days, I’d come home
need warmth and good cheer, in
from work and pour lavender and cedar-scented wax just before
my opinion, and Crabbie’s
bed – it was relaxing and therapeutic. Soy candles burn cleanly,
Mulled Ginger Wine is a good
which is important as we want our candles to be as natural as PHOTOGRAPH OF 26 GRAINS: LANGLEY. PRICES CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS
way to get it. Definitely not just
possible. I have a creative passion, and now I’m channelling it in
for Christmas, it’s a blend
a different way. I design the branding and style the photos, too.
of red wine, ginger wine
WARM & COSY People want to hunker down in winter, and
and spices. Serve at room
I like to have candles in every room – they set the mood and
temperature or heat gently
create a sense of home. I light a candle when Garry comes home
for a mugful of comfort
from work and when Esme gets in from school.
on a cold and frosty night.
Candles from £9, oldmanandmagpie.com
£6.49 for 70cl,
drinksdirect.co.uk