How we work

Finding delicious products isn't just about travelling to exotic European destinations and sampling the local delicacies (although that is part of the fun). Our team ensure the products we import are made according to rigorous hygiene and safety regulations, conform to strict UK (and, where applicable) retailer standards, and are presented beautifully and informatively.

Our process involves:

• Identifying a gap in the market
• Sourcing the manufacturing partner and inspecting the factory premises 
• Tasting & developing the recipe
• Product accreditation and approval
• Sharing the results with our customer
• Launching and marketing the product

Food service team

"We taste a wide variety of products throughout Italy, France, Spain, Holland, trying to find the best, whether nationally or regionally. If we find something we believe to be a good product, we want to promote it. We'll also look for the niche product, the product that fits a gap in the market or we can source a product for a particular client.

"Because the food service team supplies restaurants with constantly changing menus, we need to move fast. Finding products for this sector is an innovative, creative business, and it's fun because restaurants can experiment and offer customers choice in a way that supermarkets are less able to."

The best thing about my job is having the chance to eat a lot of good food all over Europe!"     

Development Manager - Retail

"Working with supermarkets, my job involves sourcing new products that will attract the majority of consumers. Products I find need to have the potential to sell in 300 stores (packaged products), and 50 to 100 stores (if stocked in the Delicatessen section). I'll find out what the customer expectations are and concentrate on expanding their boundaries, whether by visiting British holiday destinations to find what products are popular with holidaymakers, or by developing a product for British tastes."  

The introduction of Reblochon was a big success because lots of British tourists had already fallen for the local dish popular in skiing resorts, Tartiflette"   

Senior Technical Manager

"I work closely with our development manager to find products that will fit retailers' existing markets. After finding products and manufacturers I'll go to the factory to assess health, safety, risk and standards, at the same time as discovering how the product is made. If there are any non-conformance issues I'll work with the manufacturer to correct these, and then invite the retailer to make their own inspection. Back at head office, the process of commissioning packaging and artwork all happens before the product can be launched."

I love working on a product from the very start to the finish, and seeing all the love and attention that goes into it "