Totally Hot - and hotter - from pickle pioneer

Totally Hot in Northern Ireland, a specialist in Caribbean pickles, has launched two new products on the back of the successful introduction of an initial condiment earlier in the year.

The new products are a mild version and a hotter one for those who like fiery Caribbean pickles of thr original condiment.

Totally Hot, based in Holywood, county Down, is a small business launched by Carolyn Stewart, one of Northern Ireland's leading DJs and music presenters.

She developed the first Totally Hot pickle because of her love of Caribbean cuisine and the difficulty experienced in sourcing pickles and other ingredients from the islands in Northern Ireland.

Totally Hot products feature strips of peppers, onions and chilli in a spicy liquor. The three pickles are now on sale in 190g double-filled jars at £4.50.

The products are being produced by award-winning Erin Grove in Enniskillen in county Fermanagh to Carolyn's own recipes. Erin Grove has won a string of UK Great Taste Awards including three-stars for its Blackcurrant Preserve in this year's competition.

Carolyn Stewart, commenting on the new products, says: "My initial Totally Hot has proved popular with shoppers in delis and independent retailers across Northern Ireland and produced positive feedback from those who either wanted a spicier product and others who enjoyed the rich flavours but wished a milder version. So, I've created the two new products, Totally Hot mild and hotter, the latter being a fiery pickle for those who love really hot food, as I do."

She first enjoyed Caribbean pickles during a visit to Jamaica in 1991 but couldn't find these on her return to Northern Ireland. "This led me to see if I could create my own version of the Caribbean pickle, which resulted in the first Totally Hot product earlier in the year. It took more than two years for me to develop a recipe I enjoyed," she adds.

Carolyn's focus is on creating strong and rich flavours.

She's one of Northern Ireland's best known broadcasters and club DJ's and has also worked in television.