The History of Pastilla Nash

Pastilla Nash commenced operation with its signature product, Prune and Walnut Log in late 2002, and due to the popularity of this product, recently added the Fruit and Nut cake.

With 25 years experience in the food industry as a caterer and food editor, Jan Nash was inspired by a homemade sweet she sampled at a celebration dinner. From the first bite, she immediately wanted everyone to experience the unique flavor of this special delicacy.

Zina, a close elderly friend, entrusted Jan with her traditional family recipe. Once refinements to the cooking method and a balance of ingredients were made, Jan realized her new venture.
After sourcing the finest ingredients, and augmenting a handmade manufacturing process, Jan now had a commodity that she could proudly present to industry peers.

Simon Johnson, Australia's renowned food purveyor, embraced the idea and enthusiastically encouraged paramount production of this marketable product. Commercial manufacturing of the Prune and Walnut Log then commenced with Zina's blessing.

Within weeks of hitting the shelves, the Prune and Walnut Log was featured in Melbourne and Sydney food columns. Rapidly growing interest in this quality product created a demand that caused stocks to be sold out in its first Christmas. Since then, the yield has increased as a result of wider distribution and the ongoing sales to convinced connoisseurs.

From its humble inception, the Prune and Walnut Log has continued to grow in popularity worldwide. It is served in all the top restaurants in Sydney including Tetsuya's which has been voted as number 5 restaurant in the world in 2007.

The success prompted the enterprising production team to develop a fruit and nut cake under the Pastilla Nash label which contains no animal products and is free of wheat and gluten. We felt that there was a need to move away from the traditional fruit cake and present a wholesome one. Christmas 2004 was the first time consumers had a chance to buy the cake. It sold out immediately in Australia.

In 2005, Pastilla Nash exported to the USA, Japan, Canada, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Dean and Deluca sold out of the product for the Holiday Season 2005. The Prune & Walnut Log was also certified Kosher and Halal.

In 2006, the log was introduced to the UK. The shipment sold out in 2 weeks in the Christmas catalog.

In March 2007, Qantas First Class commenced serving the Prune & Walnut log with their cheese platter.

Reviews of Pastilla Nash

The Age (Australian Newspaper) Necia Wilden - Deputy editor Epicure, The Age
"A slice of Prune and Walnut log is my favourite treat to have after dinner or with a cup of tea. It's sweet yet tangy, slightly chewy, and a whole lot better for me than a biscuit or a piece of chocolate."

2005 Better Brands Holiday Show - Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu, Hawaii - 18 August
[extracts from...] The first table featured three cheeses from the King Island Dairy which were the Surprise Bay Cheddar, Roaring Forties Bleu and the Seal Bay Triple Cream Brie. Accompanying the cheeses were a Prune and Walnut slice from Pastilla Nash of New South Wales, infused macadamia dipping oils from Oz Tukka and infused olive oils from Island Olive Grove.

Guests were impressed with the overall quality of the food items. The King Island cheeses were a big hit and comments centred around the richness of the brie, the creaminess of the cheddar and how easy the bleu is on the palate. The dipping oils were popular, particularly Oz Tukka's lemon myrtle-ginger macadamia oil and Island Olive Grove's chive- garlic olive oil. The biggest head turner would have to be the Prune & Walnut slice from Pastilla Nash. People were amazed by the product's taste and richness. It was a perfect compliment to the cheeses. I had people coming up to the table saying, "People on the opposite side of the show are talking about this and I came all the way over so that I could try it."

Austrade Press Release - Tuesday 30th August, 2005
[extracts from...] Three companies exhibiting at the Fine Food event include Pastilla Nash, Flavorite tomatoes and Harvest Ingredients. Jan Nash, owner of Pastilla Nash, a Sydney-based company that makes prune and walnut log and fruit and nut cake, seeks to benefit from the international buyers' interest. Pastilla Nash has a unique product and the Fine Food event sets a fantasic platform for Ms Nash to build networks and initiate discussions with buyers. "We have had great success from working with Austrade and believe this opportunity will add to the success of our business," Ms Nash said. "Pastilla Nash participated in the Fine Food event in Melbourne last year and achieved recoginition from buyers. The New York fine food and kitchenware company, Dean and Deluca, were introduced to our product and we have recently completed our first shipment to the company this year."

EMAIL
"I would just like to send you an email to let you know that I purchased some of your prune and walnut log at Prahran market on Friday. I have to say that it was one of the best food items that I have ever bought and would just like to pass this on to you to say thankyou, the whole family thoroughly enjoyed it. Unfortunately, it is so good that I am nervous about buying it again, as I seemed to have eaten most of it myself! (I will buy it again!) Once again, congratulations on a wonderful and most delicious product."
Best regards, Sally Michaels - Director