Food and drink
Island Oil from fields of gold
A quirky name and a top quality product has made Oil of Wight a popular buy for chefs and shoppers since production started in 2009 .
The cold pressed virgin rapeseed oil is pressed from Island-grown oil seed rape , a familiar sight across the Island in the spring time as the yellow flowers bloom across the fields . Caroline Knox , the producer , developed the business to increase the value of the crops grown on the farm , and says it ’ s been a great success since it started , with the oil being sold in farmshops , butchers and giftshops Islandwide , as well as proving a popular choice for local chefs and bakers .
The cold pressing means the oil has a very rich flavour , which makes it delicious for dipping with bread and drizzling over pasta . It produces crunchy , golden roast potatoes which could grace any roast dinner and can also be used in baking , providing a dairy-free alternative to butter . The recent re-brand retains the quirky popular name , but livens up the label with a link to the Island ’ s familiar landscapes of cliffs and sea , fronted by the golden yellow flowers . The tag line is ‘ Bottled Full of Sunshine ’ and the postcard landscape on the label with the same delicious oil in the bottle makes Oil of Wight a brilliant addition to your shopping basket , either for your own kitchen or as a gift to friends or family .
Sweet success for arty business
An imaginitive concoction that blends arty activities and deliciously tasty treats has produced a family business that ’ s going from strength to strength just 18 months after it was launched . Arty Shakes in Shanklin was the brainchild of Jason and Carrie Philo , who moved to the Island in 2015 with their three children , Sophia , Max and Daisy-Mae , to escape a hectic city life in London . Always keen to start a new business , they put their heads together and came up with a unique formula that allows families to get together in a relaxed atmosphere and create their own painted ceramics , or just chill out with an ‘ amazing milkshake ’ or the speciality of the house , homemade Belgian waffles . Jason says the waffles recipe is a family secret – and he ’ s not about to reveal it ! But the cool cafe and ceramic painting combo has proved a huge hit , and it ’ s difficult to get in without a booking . In fact after only six months , the Falcon Cross Road business had expanded so fast that it had to move to bigger premises next door . You can contact Artyshakes on 01983 716580 . www . visitilife . com 111