Award-winning meal producer, Authentic Curries & World Foods has launched Wales’ first microwaveable rice.
Available in three varieties – Pilau, Basmati, and Long Grain – the rice, which is cooked and packaged in Swansea, contains no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives and cooks in just two minutes.
Paul Trotman, founder and managing director of Hirwaun based Authentic Curries & World Foods, says the rice range has been specially created to complement his company’s range of meals including its Welsh Beef Curry, Chilli Con Carne and its signature dish Tân y Ddraig (the Dragon’s Fire) curry.
“We have been supplying curries and meals to major retailers for a number of years and so the creation of a rice range to accompany them was the logical next step, and we are delighted they are to be launched in Tesco stores across Wales.
“Each rice perfectly complements our meals, and we have included serving suggestions on the packs – Pilau Rice matches with our Tân y Ddraig curry, Basmati Rice accompanies our Welsh Beef Curry, and the Long Grain Rice is ideal with our Chilli Con Carne.”
The full range is available in all 53 Tesco stores in Wales, including Super stores and Extra stores.
“We are continually working to get more Welsh products into our stores, and Authentic Curry & World Foods’ microwaveable rice is a great addition to our Welsh range as well as being the perfect accompaniment to their highly popular range of curries and meals,” said Mark Grant, Tesco Senior Buying Manager for Wales and West Midlands.
Authentic Curries & World Foods has also become the first Welsh meal producer to join a new certification scheme run by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales.
Launched at the Royal Welsh Show, the scheme allows food manufacturers who commit to sourcing PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) Welsh Lamb and PGI Welsh Beef for their products to use the well-known trademarks and PGI logo on their packaging.
Says Paul Trotman, “Since we started the business we have always tried to source Welsh red meat for our range of products and at present we source our PGI Welsh Beef through Celtic Pride in Cross Hands.
“The new scheme from HCC gives the consumer the added reassurance the beef in our range is not only traceable, but is PGI Welsh Beef, underlining our commitment to supporting Welsh farmers and local sourcing.”
Ends.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Photo caption: Authentic Curries & World Foods Managing Director Paul Trotman with the new range of microwaveable rice.
For more information or images please contact Sheila Coleman tel: 01792 410994 / 07968 357474 or email sheila@colemancommunications.co.uk
About Authentic Curries & World Foods
The company supplies multiple retailers, caterers and restaurants with a wide range of meals produced at its 1,2000sq ft. purpose built BRC ‘A’ grade facility at Hirwaun, near Aberdare.
There the 38 staff produces more than 70 products for the retail and food service sectors, including curries, catering ranges, gourmet ranges, pasta dishes, pie fillings and world foods.
Since the company was founded 18 years ago it has experienced tremendous growth and now has an annual turn in excess over of £3.5 million.
For further information about products please contact:
The Authentic Curry Company Ltd
Units 46/47
Hirwaun Industrial Estate
Hirwaun
Rhondda Cynon Taf
CF44 9UP
Tel: 01685 810044
Email: paul.trotman@authenticcurry.co.uk
Contact: Paul Trotman
About Tesco
Tesco sells more locally sourced products than any other retailer – over 4,000 local lines – and works with over 400 local suppliers.
The company has five regional buying offices, including Wales, where dedicated local sourcing teams work closely with local suppliers giving them technical and business assistance enabling them to offer customers the best in locally celebrated food and drink.
Recent research by Tesco highlights the growing importance consumers place on local produce. It’s survey, ‘Attitudes Towards Local’ – Marketing Sciences (April 2013) found the following:
- 73% of shoppers in Tesco local regions say they are buying local products every time / often when they visit the supermarket for a main shop
- 34% of UK shoppers in local regions say they are buying local more than last year
- Shoppers see the main benefit of locally sourced products as supporting the local economy
Tesco customers can search for and buy local products online at www.tesco.com/local