Just in - Bruny Island Traditional Plum Puddings
It’s an exciting time at Hill Street right now with all our Christmas stock arriving and the shelves and storerooms filling up with gorgeous Christmas fare.
One new arrival in-store is Bruny Island Plum Puddings, award-winning Christmas puddings brought to you by Bronwyn Miller and family of Bruny Island. They’re a traditional pudding with abundant fruit, aromatic spices, and the richness of brandy and stout.
They also have a swag of medals to their credit, winning Reserve Champion in the ‘Baked Products - Sweet’ category of the Royal Tasmanian Fine Food Awards in 2022, as well as a Gold and Silver medals in that year, a Bronze in 2023, and a Silver in 2024.
Bronwyn, the pudding creator, has spent years perfecting the recipe. Now her family of four helps her make puddings each year for a growing local customer base.
We caught up with Bronwyn recently and asked her a few questions about her puddings and her small business on Bruny:
When did you move to Bruny and when did you start making puddings there?
In 2018, we made the move to Bruny Island, where I was initially only working part-time hence able to start the venture in 2019.
I actually began making puddings 20 years ago, picking up the tradition from my father, a retired chef, who was no longer able to carry it on. While I didn't follow his recipe —much to his dismay—I developed my own over the years, gradually perfecting it. Friends and family would often urge me to start selling them, and after settling on Bruny Island, I felt it was finally time to share my creation with others.
So do your plum puddings actually contain plums?
There are no actual plums in plum pudding. Originating in medieval England as a savory dish it evolved into a sweet treat during the Victorian era. Back then, plum referred to any dried fruit. Our puddings include a blend of mixed fruit, glacé cherries, apples, oranges, lemons, and carrots.
It must have been thrilling to win at the Royal Hobart Fine Foods awards several years running - what has that done for your business?
We are incredibly proud of our product, and having it recognized at an event as prestigious as the Royal Hobart Fine Food Awards was truly rewarding. I believe that winning these awards has boosted our brand presence, which has, in turn, helped drive sales.
You can find Bruny Island Traditional Plum Puddings in-store now!
When do you start making puddings to be ready for Christmas? How hectic does it get?
We begin production each year in June, keeping the pace manageable by spreading it over the year to ease the pressure on the family. This early start also allows the puddings to develop their flavours well before Christmas. After all, a matured plum pudding is the best kind!
And it’s a family affair?
Yes, our pudding-making is primarily a family effort, with the four of us handling most of the work. Occasionally, a friend may lend a hand if they're available. We've experienced significant growth since we started in 2019, going from producing 75 puddings in our first year to making thousands this year.
What’s your favourite way to eat your pudding?
That’s a tough question because the flavours change so much depending on what it's paired with! Straight from the fridge, it’s zesty and dense; warmed with custard, it’s comforting and cozy; and with ice cream, it’s just yummy!
Bruny Island Traditional Plum Puddings are available in all Hill Street stores. If you want to secure yours before they sell out, be sure to order them as part of your Christmas Order here.
