"If you wanted stuff (in Africa) you had to grow it and then bottle it," she said.
Her mother had many international friends (from Portugal, the Mediterranean and Africa) who didn't speak much English, so they would bond over their different cooking styles.
"We also grew things on our farm, like chillies and citrus. It was just a part of life," she added.
Pam and her GP husband Doug have lived in the Far North for the last 27 years, and she began selling her wares 25 years ago, when the market was in the Dalmatian Hall. She established Due North six years ago, the business evolving from its humble beginnings at home to a kitchen in Milk Way, where Kaitaia's Top Milk was once produced, four years ago.
"It was a hobby and then it became a full-time job," she said.
Most of the produce she uses is organic and spray-free, Pam describing her products as "a mix of traditional and exotic, with African specialities and a lot with chilli. The range includes vinegars, sauces, pickles, jams, chutneys and infused oils.
She is proud of the fact that the majority of the produce used is grown locally, some in her own garden.
"I grow chillies, citrus and berries," she said.
"It's mainly Northland produce, basically what grows in Northland. We have organic garlic and chilli growers up here; there are amazing people out there growing beautiful produce. Not many people are aware of what is out there on their doorstep."
Due North products are now distributed far and wide, customers including in restaurants and gourmet food outlets in Wellington, Auckland and all over Northland, but most of her marketing is done through her involvement with the markets.
"The markets are a great place to be, lots of overseas visitors and out of town contacts are made," she said.
"And usually if they taste it, they buy it."
The business has grown steadily over the years, and Pam has reached the point where she would like to reduce the range and concentrate on certain products, "but if I stop making something people want it back."
And the secret to her success?
"Flavour, people love the flavour. We make our products in small batches and don't add artificial colour, no bulking agents. We use beautiful local produce that is ripe and ready for using."
For more go to the website www.duenorthfoods.co.nz
BOI market the best
The spotlight turned on the Far North when the second annual Taste Farmers' Markets Awards were presented in
Auckland, the Bay of Islands winning the award as the best regional market.
``Celebrating local food producers brought out the best in culinary delights, showcasing the high standard
of produce and artisan goods,'' Bay of Islands chairman Richard Van Alphen said, adding that he had been proud to receive the award on behalf of the market, recognition of the achievements of a hard-working team devoted to
authenticity, traceability and freshness.
``Supporting local growers is supporting our future,'' he said.
Pam Mearns (Kaitaia) was highly commended in the awards' `From the Kitchen Bench to the Table' category, Mr Alphen saying that recognition of her Due North products as being equal to the best in the country was a ``really
fantastic achievement and a great result all round for the Far North''.
