On Thursday we had the pleasure of meeting the innovative people behind Rubies in the Rubble, Jenny Dawson and Elaine Callighen, during one of our Lunch & Learn sessions at Futerra. With what appears a simple but ingenious idea, they have built a thriving business turning discarded fruit and vegetables into delicious chutney and jam. With tastes like nutty pear and apple/ginger they are building an impressive customer base around the whole country, and they certainly have some new fans at Futerra!

With the aim of making the tastiest chutney and fruitiest jams in the best possible way they are not only making delicious food, but also finding a way to use fruit and vegetables that might otherwise be discarded for being an ‘imperfect’ shape or size. Anyone who’s ever grown their own apples or tomatoes knows that the smaller and slightly deformed siblings are just as tasty as the picture perfect specimen and Rubies in the Rubble has found an excellent way of making the most of them.

But it’s not just about ingredients, it’s also about the people who make the products. Rubies in the Rubble recruit people who are struggling to get back into work, giving them training while also providing a community for them.

Named by the Guardian as one of Britain’s 50 New Radicals, they are certainly a name to look out for. While they’ll probably take over supermarkets all over the UK soon, you can currently find them at Borough Market and other markets around the UK’s larger cities. And for those who see chutney merely as a tasty addition to a curry – you have a world of chutney yet to discover!

My personal favourite accompaniment is some sticky brie, while the girls themselves suggest you give it a go with your fried eggs and sausages on a hungover morning.