Kyla King is the owner and operator of Rad Jamz, a BC made jam company creating radical products from jams and jellies to pickles, pies, and more. Rad Jamz is located in West Kelowna, BC, and uses all BC grown produce in their products!

Discover the Sweet Story Behind Rad Jamz: A BC Made Jam Revolution

Kyla King, the owner and operator of Rad Jamz, has cultivated a passion for preserving the bountiful fruits of her home in West Kelowna, BC. What began as a small passion project has now blossomed into a thriving business, creating unique jams, jellies, and relishes all made from locally grown produce. But it’s not just about jam for Kyla—it’s about crafting radical, sustainable products that support local farmers and champion healthier, more sustainable food options.

From Family Traditions to Entrepreneurial Passion

Growing up in East Kelowna, Kyla’s life was steeped in a deep appreciation for fresh, local food. Both of her parents were raised on farms in Alberta, so gardening and preserving food were family traditions. Jam-making, pickling, canning tomatoes, and bottling fresh apple juice were staples in the King household. “I had never even tried store-bought jam growing up,” Kyla recalls. “We always had my mom’s strawberry freezer jam on hand.”

This love for fresh, preserved food set the stage for Kyla’s journey into jam-making. The abundance of fresh fruit in her home region of the Okanagan Valley, known for its perfect climate for growing berries, apples, peaches, and more, provided the perfect environment for her to dive deeper into the craft.

A Culinary Journey Before Rad Jamz

Before starting Rad Jamz, Kyla honed her skills in the culinary world. After graduating from Okanagan College with a Red Seal as a chef, she traveled the globe, sharpening her expertise. From Whistler to Vancouver, Melbourne to London, Kyla worked in high-end kitchens, even spending time in Michelin-starred restaurants and serving as a Sous Chef at Mission Hill Winery in Kelowna. She gained invaluable experience working in elite culinary environments before taking on a role as a Head Chef for a heli-ski lodge with Canadian Mountain Holidays.

But after years of fine dining and high-pressure kitchen environments, Kyla found herself yearning for something different. When she and her fiancé Alby moved to the quiet town of Summerland in 2016, the pace of life gave Kyla the space to explore new creative ventures. A visit to the local farmers market sparked an epiphany: “I can do this!” And so, Rad Jamz was born.

The Birth of Rad Jamz: A Local Business with Big Dreams

What began as a side hustle—making jams and pickles in their free time—quickly grew into something more. Kyla and Alby spent long hours working at their chef jobs while simultaneously experimenting with unique flavor combinations and selling their creations at the Summerland farmers market. “Our little side hustle was fun! I loved it! I got hooked!” Kyla says with a smile. “I could see potential in it, and even though it was crazy challenging, we stuck with it.”

Fast forward to today, Rad Jamz continues to offer an assortment of jams, jellies, and relishes with a focus on sustainability, real fruit, and low sugar content. Kyla’s commitment to making healthier and tastier options is reflected in the simplicity of her ingredient labels. She primarily works with local farmers, using fruit that might otherwise go to waste, and strives to make every product with minimal sugar. “I was in disbelief with the amount of sugar the recipe called for when I made my first batch of jam as an adult,” Kyla laughs. “So, I kept it simple. Real fruit, no BS.”

Making Jam with Love, and a Little Bit of Perfectionism

For Kyla, jam-making is more than just a job—it’s a craft. “Jam days are my favorite,” she says. “It’s not an easy art to master, and the satisfaction of making a jam with the perfect consistency and set is indescribable.” Coming from fine dining, where perfection is the standard, Kyla holds herself to high standards in the jam-making process as well. “I would never settle for a mediocre product,” she explains.

What’s even more rewarding, though, is the sense of community. Kyla is part of a larger network of local farmers, producers, and entrepreneurs in the Okanagan Valley. “We really have gained a family with the local farmers, crafters, and producers here,” she shares. “It’s exciting to see how we all evolve in our craft, and we’re always here for each other.”

Looking Ahead: Rad Jamz’s Big Aspirations

Kyla’s vision for Rad Jamz is clear: she wants to share her products with the world. Her goal is to expand the reach of Rad Jamz beyond the Okanagan Valley and into grocery stores and restaurants across British Columbia, with national expansion on the horizon. “We have a really nice product, and I just want people to enjoy jam again,” Kyla says with enthusiasm. “Nothing tastes better than homemade, so if you’re going to eat jam, why not enjoy it?”

Where to Find Rad Jamz

Rad Jamz has quickly expanded its reach and can now be found in over 200 major retailers across Canada, making it easier than ever to grab a pouch of their delicious jams. They’re also available in food service, with restaurants across BC serving up their jams to customers. For those who prefer online shopping, you can find Rad Jamz on Amazon.ca, bringing the sweet taste of the Okanagan directly to your doorstep. Whether in stores, restaurants, or online, Rad Jamz is making its mark across the country!

A Sweet Endeavor

Kyla’s journey from fine dining chef to jam-making entrepreneur has been anything but ordinary. Yet it’s clear that her passion for good food, community, and sustainability has turned Rad Jamz into a beloved local brand with big ambitions. As Kyla says, “We’re just really happy to be in business with so many amazing people. The amount of creative, talented, hard-working entrepreneurs has created a beautiful synergy for us, and we will be forever grateful to everyone we have met that has helped us along this journey. We couldn’t have done it without you!”

If you’re ready to taste the love and care that goes into every jar, check out Rad Jamz and support a business that’s changing the jam game—one delicious bite at a time.