A new Indian food importer has joined forces with a long-established pan-Humber wholesaler as it targets a hospitality sector bouncing back from lockdown.
Tapasya Spices has added Dee Bee Wholesale to its expanding ranks of distributors as it works to deliver its exclusive range to retailers and hospitality businesses nationwide.
Dee Bee, which has cash and carry warehouses in Grimsby and Hull, has seized the opportunity to enhance its efforts to kickstart its food service.
Tapasya launched its range of spices, rices and pulses in late 2020 with chief executive Mukesh Tirkoti drawing on his supplier network in India to source and package more than 50 authentic products.
Everything is specially selected for the 海角视频 market based on Mr Tirkoti鈥檚 experience of running fine-dining restaurants around the world - latterly in Hull with Tapasya @ Marina - one of only two Indian restaurants in Yorkshire to be awarded the Michelin Plate.
The company appointed Islam Foods in the city鈥檚 Beverley Road as its first distributor and is now looking at the deal with Dee Bee to reach a wider area and a new market.
Mr Tirkoti said: 鈥淲e have had very positive feedback from people who have been cooking at home using Tapasya Spices products during lockdown and we are in discussions with other significant distributors as we work to build our retail network.
鈥淏ut as we move closer to the reopening of pubs and restaurants we needed a partner with expertise and contacts in that sector and we have every confidence in Dee Bee Wholesale.
鈥淭ogether we will help food businesses thrive after reopening by offering their customers products of the highest quality and the widest variety.
鈥淓very product has been tested and endorsed by some of the most celebrated Indian chefs in the world and brings something new to the 海角视频 market. We aim to inspire a new way of thinking about our cuisine 鈥 products which promote the health and wellbeing agenda and which display the versatility to match the creative explosion in plant-based cookery.鈥
Dee Bee, founded in 1961, is part of the Ramsden Group, which employs nearly 200 people across the retail and wholesale sectors. Dudley Ramsden, who lent his initials to it, also went on to co-found Nisa - now part of Co-op Food.
The Tapasya Spices range will initially be available at the company鈥檚 warehouse in Leads Road, Hull, and for distribution to hospitality outlets as far north as Whitby and to Skegness and Boston in Lincolnshire.
Trading director Andy Morrison said: 鈥淲e鈥檙e impressed by the packaging and presentation of Tapasya Spices which indicates high quality and we are proud to support a local entrepreneur.
鈥淭his is a useful opportunity for us at a time when we are looking to broaden our customer base and develop our food service offer. Whilst the Tapasya Spices range will help us service the Indian restaurant market, bringing in new business, it also helps us service our existing customer base where these ingredients can add authentic flavour to a menu.鈥
