Faversham-based brewer Shepherd Neame has teamed up with a local food producer to create a bespoke Kentish tomato chutney for use in its pubs.
Karimix, based in the village of Selling near Faversham, produces a wide range of handmade pickles, relishes, chutneys, curry pastes and sauces. Managing Director Monica Chia was approached earlier this year by Shepherd Neame’s Head Development Chef Simon Howlett, and they have worked together to create the bespoke chutney.
All tomatoes used in the chutney are sourced locally from Thanet Earth near Birchington. It will be rolled out across Shepherd Neame’s 70-strong managed pub estate later this month. The pubs will also begin using a number of other chutneys from the Karimix range.
Simon said: “Our decision to work with Karimix was based on the top ingredients they use and the excellent quality of their products. We have worked closely with them to create a bespoke Kent tomato chutney, which will provide the ideal accompaniment to our quality burgers. We will also be using four other chutneys from their range, all of which use ingredients sourced locally.”
Monica set up Karimix more than a decade ago. She grew up in Singapore, although was educated in England, and the Karimix range is heavily influenced by the flavours of South-East Asia. All her products contain no artificial additives and are GM free, and the company is also an accredited food manufacturer with the British Retail Consortium.
She said: “We are delighted to be working with Shepherd Neame and to have come up with a chutney that is exclusive to the company. We use only local produce when making this chutney, ensuring the freshest ingredients and a reduced carbon footprint. It really is a win-win situation for everyone.”
Chris Butler, Managing Director of Thanet Earth, added: “There’s a very clear sweetness to our tomatoes that we know owes a lot to the huge coastal skies and sunshine over our Thanet location. We care about every tomato and about where they end up. The new chutney has been very carefully created to make the most of the sweet, punchy flavor of our fruit. We’re very proud of this new partnership with Karimix and Shepherd Neame.
Simon added: “The tie up with Karimix allows us to use some great Kent produce and also to support local growers. The tomato chutney is delicious, a truly unique product.”
ENDS
Note to Editors:
Shepherd Neame is Britain’s oldest brewer and can trace its origins back to the early 1500s. The brewery is based in the heart of hop country, in the medieval market town of Faversham in Kent. Its ales use 95% Kentish hops which are combined with the finest malted barley and chalk filtered mineral water from an artesian well deep beneath the brewery.
The independent family business is perhaps best known for traditional Kentish ales like Spitfire and Bishops Finger, but has also invested in expanding its own portfolio in recent years. Recent introductions have included Five Grain Lager, Bear Island East Coast Pale Ale, Bear Island Triple Hopped Lager, Spitfire Lager and Spitfire Gold, along with the popular Whitstable Bay collection. It also brews international lagers under licence including leading US craft beer Samuel Adams Boston Lager.
The brewery operates 322 pubs and hotels across London and the South East from the historic heart of the City to the Kent coastline.
For further information please contact the Shepherd Neame press office on 01795 542259 or email jhomer@shepherdneame.co.uk or visit www.shepherdneame.co.uk