Emma Craig was a “markets baby”, weekend after weekend at Blue Mountains markets with her parents Genevieve and Steve Craig, as they offered their Blue Mountains Honey products for sale.
As an adult, the Katoomba woman has found her way back to the markets, selling her rubs for meats; dinner, paella, soup and baking kits; dukkah; and spiced honey.
She started her Not Without Spice business in 2010, creating spice rubs for lamb, beef, chicken and pork. The rubs were her husband Craig Reardon’s idea, who had grown up in Condobolin on a limited diet, and thought they could bring some variety for those who liked easy cooking.
The particular combination of spices are shaped by a childhood in which Ms Craig’s mum “cooked simply” and a lot of research as an adult.
“I feel like I get the balance right and I test them on friends,” Ms Craig said.
It wasn’t long before she added dinner kits to the range, such as Mexican and curry spice packs.
“They are salt free, sugar free and gluten free. I hand blend them so they're just spice and herbs,” Ms Craig said.
As people often need ideas for what to do with their spicy purchase, there is always a recipe included on the back of the pack.
Ms Craig is at the Glenbrook Rotary Markets, Winmalee Artisan Markets, Westies Market at Emu Plains and the Richmond Good Food Market.