Who are Patchwork?
Patchwork was established in 1982 by Margaret Carter, a talented, although untrained, home cook, who found herself divorced with three children to look after.
With a start up cost of just £9.00, saved from the housekeeping, she began selling her home made pâtés to pubs in nearby Llangollen.
As Margaret attracted more and more customers and the business successfully started to expand she moved the business from her house in 1987 to a purpose-equipped factory in the heart of Ruthin.
Despite the commercial scale today, everything is still hand-made in small batches, without artificial colouring, additives or preservatives, to Margaret’s original recipes.
A successful and growing company
The Patchwork Traditional Food Company is a successful and growing company, producing its fine foods still using locally produced ingredients wherever possible. Each product is skilfully cooked with an eye for perfection to create that traditional taste for Patchwork’s growing number of discerning customers.
We have a strong work force of 20+ employees who once worked as a self directed team and we still maintain a factory with limited titles where everyone is able to have their say and openly voice their opinion.
The team decides its own production schedules and work patterns, is able to recruit collectively and is involved in everything from the design of new packaging to product development.
Jen and Mags are the founders of the company it was in their home back in 1982 where the first Patchwork Pâté graced the kitchen table. Mags has been recognised for her business skills as Welsh Woman Small Business Owner of the year, Welsh Employer of the year and was given a lifetime achievement award by the Guild of Fine Food Retailers. Jen is something of a pâté alchemist, it is her recipes that have won numerous awards over the years including a highly sought after Golden Fork.
When not doing all things foodie their favourite place to be is on a remote Scottish Loch with a fly rod in their hands.
Jen & Mags
Business Founders
Rufus is the evangelical “Pâté Pioneer” of Patchwork. Recognised for his
contributions to the Welsh Food Industry with his appointment as True Taste Ambassador, he was also awarded with an Innovation award for leadership style by Insider Magazine. A respected Judge at Great Taste Awards, World Cheese Awards, Q Food Awards, True Taste Awards & Grillstock, he’s a regular on the Rude Health Rants, Radio and Television (including an appearance on Sunday Brunch). Outside of Patchwork his 2 sons keep him busy, he loves live music, as well as keeping fit; he is currently training for his second Tough Mudder! His perfect evening is at home with his girlfriend, a few bottles of wine, Netflix and some of Patchworks Duck & Apricot Pate.
Rufus
“Pâté Pioneer”
Jo heads up the Sales Department and sets all the challenging targets to keep her team motivated and on their toes. When she’s not closing her latest deal, Jo can be found propping up the Bars in Cheshire, visiting the newest Restaurant or planning her next foreign excursion.
Jo
Head of Sales
Head of Finance, Tracy is a foodie of the vegetarian variety but has bravely tasted all of our pates in the line of duty; her favourite food is her Mum’s Red Dragon Pie (no real dragons are harmed in the process). When not playing with the numbers at Patchwork she keeps herself busy by renovating her vintage touring caravan, presenting a business show on the local community radio station and volunteering with the Prince’s Trust.
Tracy
Head of Finance
Nell is one of our fantastic Telesales girls and has been at Patchwork for 12 years. When she’s not taking our customers’ orders she loves to visit new places and got married in Vegas last year with Elvis in attendance. Nell loves Johnny Cash, The Walking Dead, Bloody Mary’s and her 3 Pussy cats.
Nell
Telesales
Ceri has been at Patchwork for 4 years and keeps the rest of the team on their toes! At home Ceri is mum to 3 boys aged 1 to 12 who definitely keeps her on her toes. Along with having a crush on Harry Styles, Ceri loves all the soaps and any reality TV show…. Oh, and the odd glass of wine.
Ceri
Telesales
Matt recently joined the Patchwork Sales Team having recently graduated from Leeds University. Matt is our fittest member (sports!!!) and graces the local Cricket Field each Saturday, his love for food is legendary and he has taken his favourite Patchwork Products to picnic at the top of Snowdon.
Matt
Telesales
Lovely Lotty runs our Factory, Patchwork Shop and is a valued member of our Sales Team. Lotty recently graduated from Sheffield Hallam University where she successfully gained a first in Tourism & Management and enjoyed a summer working at Camp America. When Lotty is not pleasing our Patchwork customers she enjoys a chilled glass or two of Prosecco at the local wine bar.
Lotty
Sales
Mark drives our van delivering Patchwork Goodies to our local loyal customers. He is known for his chatty manner and his Liverpudlian humour. Mark loves to take his dog for long walks in the beautiful North Wales countryside and always has a smile on his face.
Mark
Deliveries
Susie has been with Patchwork for 13 years so we must be doing something right !! She is a Mum of two Girls aged 21 and 18 years old. She thinks she is a bit of a Gin Connoisseur and loves nothing more than finding a new Gin to taste. She loves to keep fit and always has a book on the go.
Susie
Accounts
