About Us

Here’s a little about us.

From our base here at Cherwood Nursery, in the Bedfordshire hamlet of Chawston, we are The Chilli Ranch. We’re commercial growers of chillies, herbs and vegetables. Our product range includes chilli plants, fresh, dried, frozen, and pickled chillies, along with our own gourmet range of fiery sauces and jams.

Our nursery and Chilli Shop is also a destination for thousands of people participating in our scheduled cookery classes and chilli experiences. You can also find and buy our products and experiences right here on our website or at farm shops, delicatessens, farmers markets, and other premium artisan retailers throughout the United Kingdom.

We developed a passion for Mexican and Tex-Mex food while living in San Antonio, Texas in the early ’90s. In 2001 after moving back to the UK, we began selling chilli plants at local car boot sales, and soon after set up our first production kitchen making a variety of spicy chilli sauces.

We purchased Cherwood Nursery in the tiny hamlet of Chawston, Bedfordshire in 2007. Since our arrival we’ve erected 10 polytunnels, built a log cabin for hosting events, a new commercial kitchen for making chilli sauces, and a café and shop. Today, all cooking and growing activities are now consolidated here at the Chilli Ranch and we’re open to the public who can come and see dozens of varieties of chilli plants for sale, or sit down for a bite to eat in the cafe’.

We’re passionate about chilli peppers, gardening, and great food and we enjoy hearing your gardening and cooking ideas and experiences.