Top food suppliers in the uk and ireland
When it comes to running a successful restaurant, your suppliers are everything. The quality of your ingredients can make or break a dish, and having reliable suppliers who’ve got your back is crucial. It’s not just about placing an order; it’s about building relationships with people who understand your business and what you need to deliver top-notch food every time.
If you trust your suppliers, you know you’re getting the freshest produce, the best cuts of meat, or that hard-to-find ingredient when you need it most. It’s a partnership. When you’re tight with your suppliers, they can give you a heads-up on seasonal products, lock in better prices, or help out when you’re in a pinch.
And it’s like Thomas Keller said, “A recipe has no soul. You, as the cook, must bring soul to the recipe.” But that soul starts with quality ingredients, right? If you’re using the best, it shows on the plate, and that’s what keeps customers coming back.
At the end of the day, having that solid, trustworthy relationship with your suppliers means less stress for you and better food for your customers. It’s a win-win.
Here’s a list of some of the top companies supplying the restaurant and takeaway industry in the UK and Ireland.
Bidfood
Known for a wide range of fresh, frozen, and ambient products, along with catering equipment.
Musgrave Marketplace
A leading foodservice wholesaler providing food, drink, and non-food products to restaurants.
Booker Wholesale
A national wholesaler with a huge variety of products, catering to both restaurants and takeaways.
BWG Foods
Supplies fresh, frozen, and ambient products and is one of Ireland's largest foodservice providers.
Brakes
A major supplier of fresh, frozen, and chilled foods to the foodservice sector across the UK.
Aryzta
Specialises in bakery products, offering a range of breads, pastries, and snacks.
Sysco Foods
A global foodservice company providing a wide variety of food products and solutions for restaurants.
JJ Food Service
Offers fresh, frozen, and chilled food products, alongside beverages and non-food items.
Total Produce
One of the world’s largest fresh produce providers, focusing on fruits and vegetables.
Fresh Direct
A specialist in fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs, primarily serving the catering industry.
Kerry Foods
A leader in food ingredients and branded foods, offering a range of ready-made and fresh products.
La Rousse Foods
A premium foodservice supplier specializing in gourmet foods for fine dining establishments.
M&J Seafood
One of the UK’s largest seafood suppliers, offering a wide selection of fresh and frozen fish.
Caterforce
A buying group for regional wholesalers, known for its collective power in purchasing food and beverages.
Keelings
Specialises in fresh produce, particularly fruits, and supplies to both retail and foodservice sectors.
Premier Foods
One of the UK’s largest food manufacturers, known for brands like Bisto, Oxo, and McDougalls.
Quinns of Baltinglass
A major agricultural supplier offering food products, grain, and animal feed to foodservice clients.
Lynas Foodservice
A major supplier of frozen, chilled, and ambient foods, as well as catering equipment.
Costco
A wholesale retailer offering a range of food products, including fresh, frozen, and packaged goods.
Kepak
A leading meat producer, known for beef and lamb, supplying high-quality meat products to restaurants.
Coca-Cola HBC
A leading supplier of beverages, including soft drinks, juices, and bottled water.
Blakemore Foodservice
A comprehensive foodservice supplier offering a range of fresh, frozen, and ambient products.
Henderson Foodservice
A major foodservice supplier offering fresh, frozen, and ambient goods along with catering equipment.
Heron Foods
A value food retailer known for frozen foods, snacks, and household groceries at discounted prices.
ABP Food Group
One of Europe’s leading beef suppliers, offering fresh beef products to restaurants and foodservice.
Greencore
A major producer of convenience foods, including sandwiches, salads, and ready-to-eat meals.
Blenders
Known for producing high-quality sauces and condiments, offering a range of dressings, mayonnaise, and sauces for the foodservice industry.
Epicurium
A snack supplier focused on healthier, artisan, and innovative snack products for cafes and restaurants.
Asian/Chinese Suppliers in the UK and Ireland
Wing Yip
One of the UK’s largest suppliers of authentic Chinese and Asian ingredients, offering a wide range of products for restaurants and takeaways.
Wing Yip Website
Wai Yee Hong
An Asian supermarket in the UK offering a wide variety of Asian products for restaurants, including fresh produce, sauces, and frozen goods.
T&S Enterprises
Specialises in Chinese and other East Asian foods, supplying to restaurants and takeaways across the UK.
Asia Market (Ireland)
Ireland’s leading supplier of Asian food products, offering a comprehensive range of ingredients and grocery items for Asian restaurants.
Halal Food Suppliers in the UK and Ireland
Haji Baba Halal Meats
A UK-based halal meat supplier offering a wide range of fresh and frozen halal meats to restaurants and foodservice operators.
Tayyib Foods
An established halal food supplier offering halal meat, poultry, and other products for restaurants and takeaways.
Haji Foods
A halal food supplier that provides halal meat, poultry, and other halal-certified products for the UK market.
Asba Meats (Ireland)
Ireland’s halal food supplier offering fresh and frozen halal meat to restaurants and foodservice operators.
Sushi Suppliers in the UK
Yutaka
A leading sushi supplier in the UK, providing a wide range of sushi ingredients, including rice, nori, and fish.
Tazaki Foods
A leading supplier of authentic Japanese foods, specializing in sushi ingredients, seafood, and condiments.
SushiSushi
Supplies a wide range of sushi products, including sushi-grade fish, rice, and packaging materials for sushi restaurants in the UK.
Top Indian Food Suppliers in the UK
TRS (Taj Retail & Wholesale)
TRS is one of the most established suppliers of Indian spices, pulses, rice, and flours in the UK. They’re widely known for their range of authentic Indian products and ingredients, essential for creating traditional Indian dishes.
East End Foods
A leading supplier of Indian food products in the UK, offering a wide range of spices, rice, pulses, and flours. Their products are highly popular in Indian restaurants, and they have a strong reputation for quality and authenticity.
Heera Foods
Heera Foods provides a variety of Indian groceries, including spices, flours, and frozen foods. They’re known for offering high-quality products at competitive prices, making them a favorite among Indian restaurants in the UK.
KTC (Edibles) Ltd
KTC supplies a wide range of Indian food products, including oils, spices, pulses, and canned goods. Their products are widely used by Indian takeaways and restaurants across the UK.
Madina Foods
Madina Foods offers a wide range of halal-certified products, including Indian spices and ingredients. They are a trusted supplier for Indian restaurants and caterers looking for halal options.
Tips & Tricks for Getting the Best Deals:
- Buy in Bulk: Most suppliers offer significant discounts when you order in large quantities. However, ensure you have sufficient storage space to avoid waste.
- Negotiate Payment Terms: Suppliers often allow flexibility in payment terms. You can negotiate longer payment windows or reduced rates for upfront payments.
- Form Strong Supplier Relationships: Building a good rapport with your supplier can unlock early access to deals, loyalty discounts, and even exclusive products.
- Price Matching: Suppliers compete heavily, so always ask if they can price match or beat a competitor’s offer.
- Take Advantage of Seasonal Offers: Many suppliers offer special pricing on seasonal produce or products. Plan your menus around what’s in season to capitalise on these deals.
- Use Online Ordering Platforms: Suppliers often have better deals on their websites than in-store or through sales reps. Make sure you’re signed up for newsletters and updates to stay informed.
- Consider Local Supermarkets: For smaller orders or specific items, supermarkets like Lidl, Aldi, Tesco, or Dunnes Stores can offer competitive pricing, especially during promotions.
- Join Loyalty Programs: Many suppliers have loyalty schemes where regular customers earn discounts, rewards, or rebates based on the amount they purchase.
- Order Consistently: If you maintain a steady order pattern with a supplier, they are more likely to give you preferential treatment, such as special pricing or quicker delivery times.
- Look for Cash & Carry Options: Cash & Carry options like Makro (UK) or Musgrave Cash & Carry (Ireland) can often offer reduced prices if you’re willing to pick up goods yourself.
- Mix Suppliers: Don’t feel tied to one supplier. Sometimes using different suppliers for different product categories (e.g., fresh produce, seafood, non-perishables) can yield better prices overall.
- Sign Up for Alerts and Sales: Many suppliers run time-limited promotions or bulk clearance sales, so being on their mailing lists can lead to substantial savings.
By mixing these tips with smart supplier relationships, you can significantly reduce your operational costs while maintaining high-quality supplies for your restaurant or takeaway.
