Some of my favourite photoshoots are the ones where a client arrives with a clear vision and leaves with something completely different. That’s exactly what happened when Kelly, founder of Peak & The Pantry, came to my studio to photograph her brand new Christmas gift boxes. 🎄
Kelly’s independent food and gifting business is built on the idea that good food doesn’t have to be complicated. After more than 25 years in food and retail, including over a decade as a director at Cool Chile Co., she launched Peak & The Pantry at 45, a chance to take everything she’d learnt and build something that was truly her own.
Her shop champions independent producers and female-founded brands, and is full of curated gift boxes, brilliant British tinned fish, and ideas that make a simple supper feel a little bit special.
I caught up with Kelly to find out more about her brand, her plans for the year ahead, and why she loves a studio shoot.
1. Tell me about your brand and why you started it
Peak & The Pantry is an independent food and gifting business built around the idea that good food doesn't have to be complicated.
After more than 25 years working in food and retail, including over a decade as a director at Cool Chile Co., I wanted to create something of my own.
I started the business at 45, following several years of caring for family and navigating a pretty challenging period of my life, It was a chance to take everything I'd learnt and build something that felt genuinely mine.
The Pantry is about making everyday meals easier, discovering brilliant independent food producers, championing female-founded brands and taking the stress out of gifting and entertaining.
It's real food for real life, whether that's a quick midweek dinner, a Friday night in or a thoughtful gift for someone you love.
2. What's your favourite product?
I'm particularly proud of my curated gift boxes because they bring together everything I love about the business. Discovering fantastic products, supporting independent makers and putting together combinations that people might not think of themselves.
I have a real soft spot for tinned fish, especially the brilliant British producers we're now seeing, and I love anything that makes a simple supper feel a little bit special.
3. Any big plans for the year ahead?
Christmas is the big focus at the moment, with 12 curated gift boxes launching just in time for the gifting season.
Beyond that, I want to continue developing my own range of pantry products and recipe kits, grow the online side of the business and build on the markets and events I've been doing.
I'm also developing more food content around simple suppers, making the most of leftovers and showing people how a well-stocked pantry can make everyday cooking easier.
4. For your photoshoots, you like to come over to my studio. Why do you prefer this?
For me, it's about having a dedicated space where I can concentrate entirely on the shoot.
I love being hands-on, moving things around, experimenting with different compositions and working alongside yourself.
Having access to different backdrops, props, lighting and equipment makes such a difference, particularly when you're a small business and can't possibly own everything yourself.
It also means I can arrive with my products organised and a clear brief, without having to turn my own space upside down.
I really value working with someone who is happy for me to get involved but who will also offer their own ideas and tell me when something isn't working.
Sometimes you arrive with a very clear vision and leave with something completely different, and often it's better!
5. Where can we find you?
Website: https://peakandthepantry.co.uk
Instagram: @peakandthepantry
You can also find me at independent makers' markets and food events across London, including Fulham and other seasonal markets.
Thanks again, Diana. I'm really looking forward to finally getting the Christmas photographs out into the world!
Kelly
Peak & The Pantry