An interview with Juno General Store
Mhari of Juno General Store
Business Owner
•
@junogeneralstore
Tell us about your business.
Juno was established in 2020 during the pandemic. We produce small batches of seasonal preserves including jam, marmalade, chutney and chilli jams, usually with an interesting ingredient or twist. Our goal is to produce interesting flavours people can use in multiple ways.
What inspires you when you are working or creating new work?
I’m inspired a lot by things i eat on holiday, things i can forage locally, and i read a lot of cookbooks!
What are the core values in your business? (eg. sustainability)
We try to work as seasonally as possible, making the most of local produce where possible. During the summer months the scottish grown strawberries and raspberries are so delicious!
What is your biggest dream/goal for your business or have you already achieved it/them?
I absolutely keep changing my mind on this one for sure. I think id love to open a deli where people can buy all our preserves plus doughnuts filled with our jam, a cup of coffee and other lovely bits for their kitchen but we’ll see. So long as i am able to continue making preserves people enjoy eating i will be happy.
What is your favourite product you make and why?
I really enjoy making marmalade. Its alot trickier to make than jam, even now 3 years in i’m still learning all the time, but its oh so satisfying when it goes well!
What would you tell your younger self?
Its ok not to have a clear idea of what you want to do when you ‘grow up’, or to change your mind completely. I was convinced i wanted to be a geologist, went to uni for 4 years, graduated, and then ended up becoming a chef. Do i regret the journey? Absolutely not, i still love geology, but i’m far happier doing something practical and creative.
What two things in your life can't you live without? (one life related and one business related)
going out for coffee and cake is a small luxury in life that never fails to make me happy!
When im making jam i cant live without my sugar refractometer - its a small piece of kit which you use to test the total sugar content of your jam - it needs to be 60g per 100g of jam to legally be a jam! You’d be amazed how many bits of kit you need to make preserves!
Please come up with one question that we can ask in our next interview. This could be as random or quirky as you want it to be.
If you could only holiday in 1 location for the rest of your life, where would you pick?
Question from previous interview:
Which 3 people (alive or dead) would you invite to a dinner party?
Louis theroux, stanley tucci, dawn o’porter
Quick fire questions:
Sweet or savoury?
Whyyyyyy would you ask such a difficult question!!!! Varies daily depending on my mood, it may surprise you to learn that i really don't eat a lot of jam.
Morning or night? Morning
Radio1, Radio4 or 6music? Radio 4
Holiday in the UK or abroad? Abroad
Bright colours or neutral colours? Bright!
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