How We Choose Our Suppliers
I recently watched the "Chef's Table Legends" series and was particularly inspired by Jamie Oliver's episode. His career, marked by both triumphs and challenges, undeniably left a significant impact on the food industry, especially through his restaurant Fifteen and his School Meals campaign. Jamie Oliver's quote, "real food doesn't have ingredients; real food is ingredients," deeply resonates with the philosophy at Dinner Ladies. We believe that the most memorable dishes are those that truly taste amazing, a quality entirely dependent on the excellence of the ingredients.
This brings to mind the critical question of how to find and nurture relationships with the right suppliers in a world of abundant choices. As a caterer, we often commit to delivering dishes chosen by clients over a year in advance. For example, a wedding couple's tasting nine months before their big day must be an exact replica of what will be served on the day itself. This trust hinges on our suppliers' reliability to consistently deliver the same quality, whether it's for one fillet of fish or two hundred.
Commitment to quality
We are fortunate to work with exceptional suppliers who embody this commitment. Damian Sais, Founder of Elias Fish, has over 20 years of experience and consistently provides the freshest catch. He is dedicated to reducing waste, stating, "We can't ignore or change the fact that we are supplying fish in quantity, but are extremely careful to only buy in what we need, so we can be zero waste. We don't throw fish out - we give away trimmings to homeless charities and the bones to restaurants for stock".
Another valued partner is Shrub, founded in 2020 by Sam Best and Harry Dyer. Shrub is an ethical fresh produce provider for the London market, working directly with over fifty market gardens and farms. They focus on seasonality, quality, regionality, and soil health, which is evident in the superior taste and appearance of their produce. Their commitment to seasonality means their weekly price book evolves with available offerings, transforming how we use ingredients at Dinner Ladies. We see it as our role to educate clients on making choices that support seasonality and sustainable farming practices, ensuring our high-quality ingredients truly shine.
Sustainably minded
In a similar vein, WILDFARMED shares this vision, providing an end-to-end supply chain that supports regenerative farming to improve biodiversity and soil health. Their flavourful flours have significantly enhanced the quality of our pastry, cakes, and other baked goods.
Beyond product quality, exceptional customer service from suppliers is paramount. Whether you’re a Michelin-starred restaurant or a neighbourhood cafe, you should have the same experience. Billfields, our meat supplier, exemplifies this with their top-quality meat and outstanding service. Amil, Gary, and their team are always available to assist with questions, last-minute changes or order amendments, providing invaluable reassurance.
Innovation led
Finally, creativity is a cornerstone of the Dinner Ladies brand, and therefore working with innovative suppliers is key. Belazu not only offers a growing array of sensational products but also hosts chef panel series and talks on important hospitality topics. Their innovation team is constantly developing new products, and I am always super excited when I receive an email to book in one of their taste-testing sessions.
To stay ahead and keep our food fresh and exciting, our suppliers are indispensable. We continuously seek new partnerships to enhance our produce and food, understanding that using high-quality ingredients are essential. As we know, using good-quality chickpeas over cheaper alternative brands makes all the difference to the hummus.
Thank you to all our amazing suppliers – you are truly the best!
