While Maria Hellyer, joint founder of the British Curry Company, a producer of curry sauces, is set to attend the Gulfood exhibition for the first time in 2006, she is already aware of the importance of such events.
Indeed, Hellyer’s company already supplies its range of curry sauces to Spinneys’ supermarkets in the UAE after making important contacts at a trade exhibition in Chicago, USA.“We met a buyer from a supermarket chain when we were exhibiting at Chicago’s Fancy Food Show,” Hellyer told RNME.
“They said they would like to bring the products to Dubai and that’s how it all started really. We didn’t specifically go after the market but there was demand from the supermarket chains there.”
At the Gulfood exhibition, Hellyer is hoping to increase the profile of the British Curry Company and tap more markets. “We just want to raise our profile throughout the whole region and hopefully meet other distributors,” Hellyer said.
“It would be nice if we could meet some of the other big buyers from the supermarkets and get to know them. But really it’s just working on raising our profile and ultimately to up the value of the sales in the Midle East.”
The British Curry Company, which produces six types of curry sauces that contain all natural ingredients, started supplying Spinneys in October 2005, and sales have been strong according to Hellyer.
“There is such a big expat community in Dubai who appreciate premium products and and one that they’re familarfrom home, so it’s a good market to get into,” she said.
The company will also be exhibiting its range of pickles and chutneys at the Gulfood exhibition, and is due to promote its products in Spinneys stores through customer trials. Hellyer added that the British Curry Company is also launching a range of naan bread and samosas, which it is keen to export to the Middle East.
Hellyer and her business partner, Patricia Forbes, established the company in Buckingham, UK, in 2000. It’s products are also a big hit in the US.
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