Castell Howell Foods Limited, Wales' largest and leading independent wholesaler, has today launched its brand new Gourmet Range, at the Celtic Manor Resort, featuring a collection of the finest foods and ingredients from across Wales and the rest of the world.
Aiming to provide the finest and best in one Gourmet Range, the brochure combines exclusive Castell Howell products, with old favourites and new finds. Furthermore, many products have been designed by chefs for chefs to ensure that, time and time again, the results will be consistently of the highest standard.
Welsh food forms the spine of the range with red meat and dairy produce prominent. Celtic Pride Welsh Premium Beef and innovative cuts of Welsh Lamb feature in the range having attained the prestigious Protected Geographical Indication Status for their specific qualities, provenance and characteristics reflecting the geographical area in which they are produced. The Gourmet Range introduces new catering cuts of Welsh Beef and Lamb with the support of Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC), the organisation responsible for the development, promotion and marketing of red meat from Wales.
The Gourmet Brochure provides the widest collection all in one range, products such as the Welsh Speciality range, brings together a diverse choice of True Taste Award winning produce from Caws Cenarth, the Welsh Whisky Company and Knobbly Carrot Food Company to continental Charcuterie meats, dressings and the tapas collection.
Commenting on the launch of the Gourmet Range, Castell Howell company director Chris Dennis said: "Wales' growing reputation for fine food and eating out establishments continues to grow at an increasing pace and it is encouraging that local suppliers have responded to market demands. To keep abreast, and lead, culinary trends we recognise that our customers require premium products sourced from Wales and beyond. Our Gourmet Range aims to encompass our principles of satisfying customer needs, promoting local produce and to continue to provide first class customer service based on reliability, value and choice."
Commenting on the brochure, The Celtic Manor Resort head chef, Mark Jameson said: "Castell Howell's gourmet range provides chefs with a collection of the finest foods and ingredients. The Celtic Manor has award-winning restaurants that use only the finest of Welsh products which is why we work with Castell Howell."
Castell Howell's central hub is in Camarthen, where it combines both a delivered warehouse facility with a wholesale Cash and Carry. The company also has a depot in Merthyr and is currently building a new head office and distribution depot, with Welsh Assembly Government/EC funding support, at Cross Hands. Completion is expected in June 2007 and will allow a doubling of its potential warehousing space and improved operational logistics.
Now employing over 200 staff at depots across Wales and the South West, the company was formed in the early 1980s and today provides a one-stop shop for the caterer. Since May 2003 the company has been delivering into the South West of England from its depots in Gloucester and Bristol, heralding a new phase in the company's development and in August 2004, Castell Howell increased its West Country prominence with its acquisition of Pan Aroma, a leading bakery product distributor based in Bristol.
