Sharwood’s has been inspiring tasty Asian meals with authentic products since the reign of Queen Victoria – from the time when James Allen Sharwood, a culinary explorer who devoted his life to scouring the world for exotic specialities, first introduced the exciting flavours of India, China & the Far East to Great Britain. Since then Sharwood’s has been committed to bringing you the most authentic flavours and inspiration for your meals so you can create the Asian meal experience at home. Learn more about the Sharwood’s journey to the present day.
1889...
The company was founded by James Allen Sharwood, a culinary explorer who devoted his working life to scouring the world for exotic specialities and delicacies- a tradition which endures to this day.
1890...
James Allen Sharwood proudly presented his first range of Indian chutneys, pickles and curry powders from Bombay and Madras to the British public. Almost overnight, the name Sharwood's became synonymous with the powerful flavours and intense aromas of Indian cuisine.
1899...
The British fell in love with the vibrant tastes of the East and demand was such that James Allen Sharwood established his first factory for the manufacture of chutneys close to the Oval Cricket Ground in London, where only authentic Indian ingredients were used.
1927...
James Allen Sharwood retired, but the famous culinary range of exotic products that bore his name continued to be highly popular.
1947...
The Sharwood's company curried favour with the aristocracy and received the Royal Warrant as ‘Manufacturers of Chutney & Purveyors of Indian Curry Powders’.
1963...
Sharwood's became part of the Rank Hovis McDougall Group. With this new financial strength the company was well placed to feed the growing British appetite for Indian & Oriental cuisine.
1989...
Exactly a century after James Allen Sharwood first brought his tantalising and exotic wares to these shores, a new Sharwood's distribution centre opened to keep up with the demand for restaurant-style products to create Asian eating experiences at home.
1994...
Another Royal generation signalled their approval for the Sharwood's tradition, giving us the Royal Warrant as 'Manufacturers of Oriental sauces'.
2006...
Sharwood’s continued its tradition of bringing new ways for the British public to enjoy Asian flavours by launching a new range of Chinese, Thai and Indian chilled sauces; authentic tasting snacks & dips for sharing; and cooking sauces inspired by the more unusual regions of Asia including Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
2007...
Sharwood's launches a new range of delicious and easy-to-use Thai food, which means everyone can cook up restaurant quality Thai meals at home. The new range includes new one-shot curry pastes, stir-fry sauces and curry cooking sauces, dressings, noodles, dipping sauces and Thai crackers.
We continue today our founder's spirit of exploration and excitement with brand new ranges that re-create even more of those enticing Indian, Chinese and Thai restaurant flavours.