Our Story
The business began 8 years ago and was originally set up on my narrow boat making homemade tea, cake, coffee and preserves, as 'Cake on The Cut'.
I’ve always had a great love of the countryside, gathering wild ingredients and being inventive in the kitchen, which has slowly evolved into Gangplank Spirits & Preserves. I’ve travelled all over the UK canal network making and selling my produce.
The business flourished over a few years so I decided to form a limited company in 2023 with my best friend and son-in-law. We now sell our products from the boat, at numerous land-based events, on the website and have now also begun supplying stockists!
Founder - Sam Keay
Sam Keay (Swanny or Red Leader) - Founder
Jan Lucas (Mama Pombe) - Bartender, Bottler, Transport, Storage, Taster, Spirit & Jam Maker
Jan Lucas (Mama Pombe) - Bartender, Bottler, Transport, Storage, Taster, Spirit & Jam Maker
I do most of the boring admin and paperwork parts of the business, as well as being a general dogsbody. I am the primary taster (such a terrible job) making sure everything is bursting with flavour.
I’m a bit of a nerd and love bird watching, country walks (where I usually happen upon something delicious to take back to the kitchen and experiment with) and messing about with paint and ink. I have lived onboard ‘Spirit of Florence’ for 16 years, which is proof that I’m a little nutty.
Jan Lucas (Mama Pombe) - Bartender, Bottler, Transport, Storage, Taster, Spirit & Jam Maker
Jan Lucas (Mama Pombe) - Bartender, Bottler, Transport, Storage, Taster, Spirit & Jam Maker
Jan Lucas (Mama Pombe) - Bartender, Bottler, Transport, Storage, Taster, Spirit & Jam Maker
Yes she does everything and anything!
The amazing new member of the team has been truly thrown in the deep end and is swimming like a fish! Mum to three incredible children, she loves making things and is a brilliant craftswoman.
She and Sam met in Tanzania whilst working as volunteers many moons ago, where Jan married and remained for five years. She is fluent in Swahili and is currently beating me at Wordle and Quordle!
Mo Patel - Head of Media
Katie Miller - Graphic Designer and Illustrator
Katie Miller - Graphic Designer and Illustrator
He is married to a beautiful woman that is my daughter (brownie points!). With over 10 years of film & video production experience, he currently works full-time as a senior film editor for GOAL and spares time elsewhere for our business.
When he's not working, Mo likes to go walking with his wife and their lovable dog Mandela, travel, do yoga, and eat good food. He’s also a pretty good handyman and came to the rescue when the boat steps fell apart!
Katie Miller - Graphic Designer and Illustrator
Katie Miller - Graphic Designer and Illustrator
Katie Miller - Graphic Designer and Illustrator
A fellow boaty woman and a very talented designer, Katie is responsible for all our beautiful labels, logo, and overall branding.
Contact Katie for Design and Illustration here:
