蜜芽传媒

Back in the early 1980s, at the age of 20, William Chase convinced a bank manager to loan him 拢200,000 to buy his father's potato farm in Herefordshire. Having taken on the family farm, William faced many highs and lows over the decade that followed but a disastrous crop and injury led him to declare bankruptcy. However, even though he was able to buy back the farm and begin selling his potatoes to the major supermarket, there were still big challenges - the biggest being the truck loads of rejected potatoes that supermarkets wouldn't take because they were too wonky.
This was the lightbulb moment that led William to start Tyrell Crisps in 2002, the premium crisp brand that grew and cooked the potato on the farm, soon becoming a regular sight in gastropubs and delis around the UK. The brand grew quickly, playing in to the growing demand from consumers for UK food provenance and pride.
In 2008 William decided to sell the majority stake of Tyrells and start another business, Chase Distillery. Starting with vodka using the potatoes grown on the farm, they later they moved in to the gin market and won numerous award around the globe.
William sold Chase Distillery in 2021, and now focuses on Willy's Apple Cider Vinegar created on his 300-year-old orchards in Herefordshire.

PRESENTER: Shari Vahl
PRODUCER: Dave James