Indian spice importer joins forces with wholesaler
TAPASYA SPICES LISTED BY DEE BEE WHOLESALE AS RESTAURANTS READY FOR PHASED RETURN
ANEW 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 autumn 2020 with East Yorkshire-based 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 UK market based on Mr Tirkoti’s 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’s 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: “We 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. “But 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. Together we will help food businesses thrive after reopening by offering their customers products of the highest quality and the widest variety. “Every product has been tested and endorsed by some of the most celebrated Indian chefs in the world and brings something new to the UK market. We aim to inspire a new way of thinking about our cuisine – products which promote the health and wellbeing agenda and which display the versatility to match the creative explosion in plantbased cookery.”
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.
Trading director Andy Morrison said: “We’re impressed by the packaging and presentation of Tapasya Spices which indicates high quality and we are proud to support a local entrepreneur.
“This 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.”
Every product has been tested and endorsed by some of the most celebrated Indian chefs in the world
Mukesh Tirkoti