Jenkins Jellies Story
Hi - and welcome.
I'm Hillary Danner, and i'm glad you are here.
jenkins jellies began when i found myself at a crossroads - juggling auditions, raising two young children, and trying to figure out how to create something steadier in the middle of an unpredictable life.
i turned to my garden, to cooking, and to the quiet satisfaction of making something with my hands.
surrounded by citrus and fig trees, i opened a canning book, taught myself the basics, and started experimenting.
what began as curiosity slowly became something more.
Small batches of fruit jams were first shared with friends, then with neighbors, and eventually with strangers who became customers. I opened a small boutique celebrating local artisits and makers, and on art-walk nights i began offering samples of my preserves. the response was immediate - especially to the pepper jelly.
pop-up markets followed.
jars were poured late into the night.
i learned by doing, adapting, and continuing forward even when the path wasn't always clear.
my children grew up alongside the business - coming with me to demos and markets, helping set up and break down booths, and witnessing what it looks like to figure things out in real time.
Those early years were full - full of motion, learning, and showing up.
Holiday booths, busy weekends, and long days became part of the rhythm.
what felt like everyday logistics were, simultaneously, quiet lessons in how to talk to people, take responsibility, and build something piece by piece.
I wanted my kids to see what it looked like to try - to learn as you go and to take pride in creating something of your own.
Along the way, my father became an important part of the journey, generously showing up for food events and in-store demos and helping introduce my products to new communitites through conversation and even a serenade or two ('cause that's what Opera Singers do!)
Those shared moments - across generations - remain some of my most meaningful memories.
Today, my kids are grown.
Jenkins Jellies is a crafted line of all-natural pepper jellies made in sun-kissed California, balancing sweet and savory flavors with our signature heat.
inspired by a classic southern staple and shaped by a fresh, coastal sensibility, the jellies are designed to be used - in recipes, on cheese boards, and in the everyday moments where food brings people together.
