Bedford based chilli experts, Shawn and Joanna Plumb of Edible Ornamentals have been crowned winners of Effective Promotional Campaign category in the 2010 Conquest Business Awards.

Shawn and Joanna Plumb with Award Sponsor Andrew Gibbs from Business to Business Magazine. Picture by Roy Harbutt.

This award is presented to the business that demonstrated the creation and implementation of the most effective promotion campaign relative to its objectives.  Joanna and Shawn’s objectives were to create greater awareness amongst the public in the region, increase visitor trade to their nursery in Chawston and establish Joanna and Shawn as the UK’s leading chilli experts.

As a result of a well planned campaign throughout 2009, in addition to appearing in the local papers, Edible Ornamentals featured in the national daily papers, The Economist and leading national trade publications The Grocer and Fresh Produce Journal.  Joanna featured as a chilli expert  on BBC’s 3 Counties Radio, Radio 2’s ‘Chris Evans Show’, and Radio 4’s ‘You and Yours’ and she appeared in several TV programme including  BBC 2’s Economy Gastronomy and Good Food Channel’s Market Kitchen.

This national coverage has established Edible Ornamentals as a leading producer of high quality chillies and a range of fresh vegetables that visitors can pick straight from the plant. As well as local farmer’s markets they also supply fresh chillies to Morrison’s stores in Eastern England via the ‘From My Farm’ brand as well as leading London restaurants, while Joanna’s special chilli sauces are available from the nursery and local Waitrose stores.

It was only a few years ago that Joanna and Shawn were just chilli fans growing plants at home. With a successful business, growing over 40 varieties of the best chillies this award recognises their achievement and a shining example that entrepreneurship is alive and well in Bedfordshire

http://www.businessclubs.biz/OurEvents/ConquestBusinessAwards/tabid/93/Default.aspx

http://www.businessmk.co.uk/news/art/677/Awards-celebrate-business-strength.html