Wednesday, 24 August 2022
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Tuesday, 23 August 2022
That's Christmas: Let Gravity Drink be on your Christmas tipple list...
That's Christmas: Let Gravity Drink be on your Christmas tipple list...: Gravity Drinks introduces Christmas Globe Gin Liqueur®, this year’s NEW and collectable light-up globe, due for release in stores worldwide...
Low in alcohol but not low in taste
But more and more folk are doing ‘Dry January,’ and then finding out that they feel better, slimmer and generally more alert by avoiding alcohol, so they continue throughout the year.
Companies like the award-winning Wise Bartender have sprung up to specialise in alcohol-free drinks.
It stocks over 450 products, from alcohol-free beer, wine, cider, spirits and cocktails through to mead, kombucha, sodas and mixers.
Founder Tom Ward, said: “In 2017, as the quality and choice of alcohol-free drinks, particularly beer, began to get better, we launched Wise Bartender with a modest range to give people the chance to buy individual bottles or cans to try, rather than having to order a whole case.
"Alcohol-free has become one of the most exciting and innovative drinks categories with demand continuing to grow. In 2021, our retail sales grew 30% and we now also supply pubs, bars and restaurants, as customers increasingly expect a good range of alcohol-free drinks when they go out.”
In the summer we usually want longer, more refreshing tipples, so here are a few of the alcohol alternatives that I’ve discovered, and I have to say, I’ve been impressed!
Let’s start with Seedlip, probably one of the best known distilled, non alcoholic spirits. The company now has three varieties in their range: Seedlip Garden 108; Seedlip Grove 42 and Seedlip Spice 94. If you go on the website you will find a host of great cocktail recipes. A good introduction to Seedlip is the gift box of all three in 20cl bottles at £34.99. Try this, then you can move onto a full size bottle of your favourite. But when out and about, do look for the Seedlip Summer of Colour cocktails as the company has teamed up with a number of bars to promote their colourful cocktails.
A new kid on the block is Mahala Botanical. This award-winning, South African, alcohol-free, spirit makes a brilliant cocktail mixed with tonic and a sprig of rosemary or ginger ale and a squeeze of lime. Mahala, meaning “free” in Zulu, is a premium craft spirit, free from alcohol, sugar, colourants and artificial flavours, triple-distilled in custom-made vacuum stills using nine hand-sourced botanicals, many of which are indigenous to South Africa and some which are even foraged from co- founder and Master Distiller Danielle Schoeman’s, own farmland. Its nine ingredients, including honeybush, orange, clove, buchu, Pelargonium citronella and more, offer a splendid premium drink. Available from Wise Bartender at £19.99 for 750ml. Mahala is also gluten and vegan friendly.
If, like me, you’re a gin drinker and want to reduce the alcohol in your favourite tipple, then this clever idea from Inginious Gin should float your boat… it’s also lower in calories! A 5ml serve, compared to the standard 50ml double serve of gin, mixed with 150ml of tonic results in the familiar G&T taste experience, but with only 0.2 units of alcohol per serve.
Each purchase comes with a special 5ml measuring spoon (but I have to admit that I serve myself double!) Inginious contains carefully chosen botanicals including the classic gin botanical juniper, and a citrus blend of lemongrass, grapefruit and lime to ensure a delicate, but recognisable, gin flavour. Available online at Inginious-Gin.co.uk, RRP £26.00.
I’m very impressed with Anon Drinks: the three products in the portfolio of this award-winning new company cover two of my favourite alcoholic drinks, but with no alcohol. Anon Bittersweet makes a good alternative to Campari, or Aperol, and if mixed with alcohol free fizz, a brilliant spritz. The palate profile is complex and developed, with hints of orange, citrus and herbs. Anon Spiced Cane is a great rum alternative that I’ve used to great effect in cocktails with cola or ginger beer. But the star of the trio is the recently launched: Anon English Garden. It’s a non-alco alternative to Pimms, blending natural flavours combining classic summer fruits, cucumber, mint, orange, apple and strawberry. Serve as one would a Pimms, or top up with some fizz for an English Garden Spritz. Available at £20 for 70cl or £12 for 20 cl to try them.
And even easier, (and perfect for picnics) is the recently launched Anon English Garden ready-to-drink, in cans, to create an instant cocktail. £10 for 4 x 250ml ready to drink cans of English Garden from anondrinks.com and Wise Bartender too.
Enough of ‘spirits’, how about wine? Brewed in Birmingham, Bolle is a new alternative to sparkling wine, available in both 750ml (£9.99) & 350ml (£3.49), Bolle has found ‘a revolutionary way to ferment juices without producing either alcohol or unpalatable sweetness, because a growing appetite for low/no abv should never mean short-changing one’s taste buds.’ Two varieties are available: Bolle Rosa: delicate salmon pink colour, fine bubbles & notes of berries, blackcurrant, toast & herbs and Bolle Ora: again fine bubbles coupled with notes of apple, pear, toast & minerals. Available online from Bolle
For beer, Bavaria based ERDINGER Weissbrau, the biggest family-owned wheat beer brewery, has a couple of really delicious alcohol-free options – the regular ERDINGER Alkoholfrei and ERDINGER Alkoholfrei Grapefruit (which is a mix of the former plus grapefruit juice). Alkoholfrei is widely available at around £1.50 for a 500ml bottle from major supermarkets and the Grapefruit mix in Tesco. They’re refreshing and are isotonic, and known as the sporty thirst quenchers, as they help to replace lost fluids quickly. They also taste great!
And one doesn’t need to pretend to be drinking alcohol when there are so many really delicious soft drinks available. I’m particularly impressed with the Cawston Press range. The popular Cawston Press Sparkling Rhubarb and Sparkling Elderflower Lemonade are now available in 750ml glass bottles so can grace the drinks table at any gathering when something non alcoholic, but rather special, is required. Simply made from real pressed fruit and sparkling water – that’s it! As well as tasting pretty damned good, they are great in cocktails too. Around £3.49 a bottle, from selected Waitrose stores, Ocado and by the case of six from Amazon for £20.99
So, in a nutshell, there’s plenty of scope – from new arrivals and old favourites. Cheers!
Q Catering Expands Warehouse by 11,600 Sq. Ft to Meet Rising Demand for Frozen Goods
The Sittingbourne-based company is a trusted, reliable foodservice wholesaler which offers an ever-increasing range of quality grocery, chilled, and frozen food products across over 1,700 product lines, from both local and national suppliers.
This expansion plays a part in the company's investment and wider goals for business growth, and to meet increasing consumer demand. Q Catering, will have 22,600 sq. ft of warehouse facilities when completed, a substantial increase from its initial 5,000 sq. ft back when the company started in 2003, aims to continuously increase its presence in the South East and London.
The company's new warehouse facilities is just across the road from the original space and will store ambient and chilled food products only. The new unit will allow 545 pallets of high-quality ambient and chilled food products to be safely stored on site. The original facility will be converted into a 11,000 sq. ft freezer to store up to 520 pallets of frozen goods at any one time.
Steve Clarke, who is the MD at Q Catering, said: “It's been an exciting week for us at at Q Catering. We've been planning this extension for almost a year now, so it's great to finally see it come to fruition.
“The new warehouse will help us achieve two goals. First, it will offer over double the amount of storage we've previously had across the site, meaning more products for our customers. Secondly, we've transformed our original unit, which has been good to us for over 12 years, into an 11,000 sq. ft state-of-the-art freezer to increase our cold store offering and keep up with the increasing demand for frozen foods and trends in the category.
“It's recently been announced the frozen foods category is about to have a moment, with reports showing that 'frozen food sales rose 21% in 2020, double the rise of fresh food sales', a desire originally driven by the pandemic but continues today. Caterers are looking for both high-quality foods and convenience in the kitchen, so we are expanding our frozen offering to help them stay one step ahead.
“Adding this extra facility will not only allow us to stock even more products to meet demand but will also take us forward in our continued investment plan and goal of hitting £20 million turnover by 2030. We're also currently investing in new vehicles on site which will offer more capacity, meaning bigger and more efficient deliveries, which will also play a part in our wider growth plan.” Clarke concludes.
Earlier this year, Q Catering announced the appointment of Steve Clarke, who joined in September 2021 after buying a substantial shareholding in the Fairway Foodservice member's business. Steve is ambitiously growing the business to take it to the next level and offers support and advice to hospitality and foodservice businesses across the South East and London.
To stay up with the latest news from Q Catering, sign up the newsletter here: https://www.qcatering.co.uk/newsletter/
For product offering brochures and more information, visit the Q Catering website here: https://www.qcatering.co.uk/ for more information.
UKs top Latin American Food Brand, Capsicana, Launches Ready to Serve Salsas.
Capsicana Easy-Going Salsa made with mild red pepper and smoked paprika is an every-day, versatile salsa packed with flavour which offers a sweet, smoky flavour.
Capsicana Full-On Feisty Salsa, the punchier of the two, is made with chipotle and habanero chillies and hits the sweet spot between delicious taste and a strong level of chilli heat to get the taste buds tingling.
Developed as ambient 'ready to eat' products in response to consumer data showing that 52% of consumers claim they look for meals in the world food category that are ready in 20 minutes2, the duo of salsas combines the convenience of ambient with the freshness and flavour of a 'made from scratch' salsa.
Both have been created to bring authentic taste and a fresh Latin vibe to the table, offering punchy flavours and high-quality ingredients. They are perfect for adding some Latin flair to summer BBQs and al fresco dining whether 'dipping in' with tortilla chips or 'dolloping on' nachos, fajitas, or tacos.
Ben Jackson, founder of Capsicana, comments “As well as being developed to respond to the consumer trend for convenience coupled with freshness of flavour, the new salsas also cater for foodies looking to try new things and get creative in the kitchen. Research consistently highlights a consumer appetite for world food products and more adventurous flavours, initially driven by restrictions during the pandemic. The desire for creativity at mealtimes has never been higher”.
A fast-growing, adventurous food brand, Capsicana offers a range of Mexican, Brazilian, and Argentinian inspired products to awaken mealtimes. The ranges include quick and easy to use cooking pastes, seasoning mixes, meal kits and accompaniments which are available nationwide in Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Ocado, Booths and Amazon.
Ben, who has previously worked in corporate roles, ignited a passion for Latin American foods and flavours after spending a year visiting his father, back in 1996 aged 19, in Texas, where he first tasted real Latin food.
Ben and his father always connected over cooking and visited many cantinas together with Mexican friends. He experienced true Mexican food culture and it was the authentic recipes and ingredients that really sparked a passion. He went on to launch the Capsicana brand in 2016.
Ben said: “I admit that I did take a bit of a risk when I launched Capsicana. I departed my stable, corporate job in London and started with just £500 and a market stall in Hertfordshire selling smoked chillies from Mexico.
The brand broke into national retail after lots of hard work and determination and today we're the most awarded in our category, including a coveted Great Taste Golden Fork!"
He went on to explain: “Once I had the chillies in my hands, I began devouring Latin American cookbooks, met with top chefs and local cooks. It was important for me to understand authentic recipes and unique flavour combinations from the region when creating Capsicana. The goal has always been to create a premium, Latin American range of flavours for everyday cooking inspired by recipes from the region”.
“I wanted to share my passion and knowledge for Latin flavours with consumers of the UK and help busy people to cook tasty and exciting meals at home”.
Available in 285g jars, the Capsicana Easy-Going Salsa and Capsicana Full-On Feisty Salsa are gluten free and suitable for vegetarians and vegans. They have an RRP of £2.50 and have now launched in-store and online at Sainsbury's.
Want to sell Capsicana? Please contact the Capsicana team on hello@capsicana.co.uk
Robert's Dorset: Proper Tasty Snacks that are Handmade in Britain
Robert's Dorset is the one stop shop for high-quality, tasty, savoury snacks and hand-made fudge, perfect for retailers, food halls, butchers, farm shops, garden centres and beyond. Key product ranges consist of Proper Pork Crackling, Delectable Nuts which includes Yummy Peanuts, Delicious Cashews and Mixed Nuts and Fabulous Fudge.
The demand for snack products is on the rise. Mondelēz has recently published its third annual 'State of Snacking' report, in which it surveyed more than 3,000 consumers from marketplaces around the globe. Results found that 85% of respondents eat at least one snack for sustenance and one for indulgence every day.
Of course, Robert's Dorset uses only high-quality ingredients enabling it to offer better-made snacks using its trusted and oh so tasty family recipes. Pork Crackling and Nuts are available in a wide range of flavour SKUS.
From classics like as Sea Salt and Sage & Onion to more exotic varieties such as Chorizo and Extreme Naga Chilli. Fudge varieties are also a mixture of classic and more adventurous flavours, from Vanilla and Butterscotch to Biscoff and Baileys.
Robert's Dorset products come in a range of different pack sizes and packaging options to suit all retailers. Choices include small and large re-usable pots and jars, as well as recyclable bags and pouches, offering environmentally friendly solutions for traders across Europe.
Robert Parkin, the founder of Robert's Dorset said: “We're a passionate team here at Robert's Dorset and we're experts at creating tasty snacks in a wide range of moreish flavours.
"We're a proud family-run brand and have come far when we think back to when we were creating our hand-made snacks from our modest kitchen back in 2011. As a brand, we are led by quality and flavour and want to make sure there's something for everyone.
“Our NPD is very much led by our customer feedback - we pride ourselves on our wide range of flavour varieties. We're for everybody, whether you like classic tastes or are a bit more daring, have allergies or are vegan, Robert's Dorset is for all”.
Robert's Dorset began the rebrand from SCT in August 2021 and moves forward with a laser focus on only producing the highest-quality and best tasting products which are all handmade in the West Country.
The Robert's Dorset products are suitable for a wide range of dietary needs, such as gluten free, sugar-free, vegan, 100% keto friendly and allergen free. All with the same great taste.
All Robert's Dorset products are made to order on site in Dorset, providing customers with only the freshest produce and bespoke selections.
Robert's Dorset Proper Pork Crackling is triple cooked with incredible crunch and available in 11 flavours. No MSG or Artificial flavours.
Flavours: BBQ, Bombay Mix, Chinese 5 Spice, Chorizo, Classic Sea Salt, Extreme Naga Chilli, Garlic, Sage & Onion, Sea Salt & Pepper, Sea Salt & Vinegar and Sweet Chilli. Sizing availability: 50g Bag, 55g Pot, 100g Bag, 100g Pot, 1.5L Glass Jar, 3L Glass Jar and various refill sizes. Hanging Strips also available. RRP: from £2.00
Robert's Dorset Yummy Peanuts are AA grade nuts which have been ethically and sustainably sourced. Using Robert's Dorset seasoning, the Yummy Peanuts are available in 13 flavours.
Flavours: BBQ, Bombay Mix, Chinese 5 Spice, Chorizo, Classic Sea Salt, Extreme Naga Chilli, Garlic, Sage & Onion, Sea Salt & Pepper, Sea Salt & Vinegar, Sweet Chilli, Honey Roasted and Dry Roasted. Sizing availability: Available in 100g Pouch, 200g Pot, 400g Pot, 1.5L Glass Jar, 5L Glass Jar and various refill sizes. Hanging Strips also available. RRP: From £1.80.
Robert's Dorset Delicious Cashews are AA grade nuts which have been ethically and sustainably sourced. Using Robert's Dorset seasoning, the Delicious Cashews are available in 12 flavours.
Flavours: BBQ, Bombay Mix, Chinese 5 Spice, Chorizo, Classic Sea Salt, Extreme Naga Chilli, Garlic, Sage & Onion, Sea Salt & Pepper, Sea Salt & Vinegar, Sweet Chilli and Honey Roasted. Sizing availability: Available in 100g Pouch, 200g Pot and 400g Pot. Hanging Strips also available. RRP: From £2.95.
Robert's Dorset Fabulous Fudge from the heart of the west country is 100% British and available in 15 flavours. Cream based and Gluten-free. Two vegan varieties also available.
Flavours: Baileys & White Chocolate, Biscoff Biscuit, Chocolate Orange, Creamy, Millionaire, Mint Chocolate, Rocky Road, Rum & Raisin, Vanilla, Sea Salt & Caramel (vegan), Vanilla (vegan), Belgian Chocolate, Banana & Chocolate, Butterscotch, Sea Salt & Caramel. Sizing availability: 180g Pouch and 360g Block. RRP: From £4.50.
For trade orders or for an online catalogue with visuals & prices, please email trade@sct-sct.com or give one of the team a call 01202875280.
The Access Group Continues Investment in People Technology Solutions Within the Hospitality and Leisure Sector With Acquisition of Rotaready
Building on its strategy of bringing new and innovative products to market, Rotaready will be incorporated into its hospitality division and will enhance its existing people software solutions. This investment in best-in-class technology reflects Access Hospitality's role as one of the leading providers of software solutions for the hospitality and leisure sector.
Rotaready is an easy-to-use and highly adoptable workforce management solution for growing hospitality businesses. Developed for hospitality, leisure and retail, Rotaready helps operators schedule rotas, optimise wage spending, record attendance and approve timesheets for payroll.
Henry Seddon, who is the MD of Access Hospitality, said: “The acquisition of Rotaready demonstrates our commitment to invest in technology that enables our hospitality customers to deliver great guest experiences, operate with maximum efficiency and profitability, and develop engaged and compliant team members.
With operators facing an increased need to focus on attracting, recruiting and retaining employees, adding Rotaready to the Access Group's portfolio creates an unrivalled people software offering that gives customers the freedom to do more.
Rotaready's intelligent scheduling platform removes the hassle of planning employee rotas and gives operators more time to run their businesses. Demand forecasting means it's easy to optimise schedules and labour spending, so staffing levels are aligned with demand. The employee communication features engage team members with real-time updates and empower them with a greater level of shift flexibility.”
Henry Seddon went on to say: “I'm confident there's a great cultural fit between our two companies, as well as experienced talent within the Rotaready team which will be a great addition to the Access Hospitality family.”
Carl Holloway and Jamie Harvey, co-founders of Rotaready will join Access Hospitality to help integrate with existing hospitality software products through Access Workspace and steer further product development.
Carl Holloway said: “We're thrilled to be joining The Access Group. They share our passion for building highly innovative software supported by world-class customer success, so Rotaready couldn't be a better fit in the Access Hospitality family.
“We launched Rotaready back in 2015 with a mission to revolutionise the way hospitality, retail and leisure businesses manage their teams and drive commercial performance, drawing on our experience from working in those very industries.
"Seven years later, that mission remains unchanged and we're delighted to be joining a business which shares our goals and ambitions.
“Access Hospitality has an unrivalled reputation for providing innovative technology solutions for the hospitality and leisure sector. Existing Rotaready customers will benefit from the company's extensive experience in accelerating product development, investing in customer success and providing software that gives customers the freedom to focus on efficient operations and great guest experiences.”
For further information please contact Access Hospitality at hospitality@theaccessgroup.com or 0845 345 3300.
I am Döner - first ever cheese fest with biggest kebab to date
According to initial images released by I am Döner they are taking on the bands with the 5 cheeses of summer headlining. This will be their biggest ever 5 cheese kebab to date. Their house special with 5 cheeses!
A mix of döner, chicken, falafel, macaroni cheese poppers, cream cheese stuffed Jalapeño poppers, halloumi, cheddar and feta. Served with tomato, red onion, grated carrot, fresh coriander, pickled red cabbage, crispy fried vegetables, chilli sauce, and garlic mayonnaise all wrapped up in a freshly made flat bread.
Paul Baron, Döner’s Owner, said: "With our dishes hitting the stage such a Mactallica and Red Hot Jalapeno Peppers. All six specials will be available for collection and on all three delivery partners Deliveroo, Uber Eats & Just Eat."
Paul went on to say: “We’re absolutely obsessed with kebabs and I have a huge passion for music, too. So I wanted to bring the two together with some different specials for people to try and what better time to do it than when we have the famous Leeds Festival in town”
Guests who want to be amongst the first to try the specials and be in with the chance of winning some epic prizes should head to the I am Döner website.
I am Döner cheese festival will run in all three stores from 27th August – 30th September 2022.
I am Döner was launched back in 2016 by Chef Paul Baron and is now backed by Think Hospitality.
Paul started a revolution from their small takeaway shop in Headingley, Leeds, in 2016 inspired by a trip he took to Berlin.
He want to make the Döner kebab more than a guilty pleasure for the intoxicated! They now have three stores in the UK – Headingley, Harrogate & Leeds City Centre.
Paul added: "Traditionally you think a kebab as a bit of doner meat on pitta bread with some iceberg lettuce, but we are no stereotypical kebab shop! We use a total of 120 ingredients in the six kebabs we make.
"We have ten items of salad, feta cheese, homemade bread, homemade sauces and the highest quality meats. Because of this we attract a good bunch of sober people and have a very strong lunchtime offering as well as the evening trade."
Please check them out at https://www.iamdoner.co.uk.
Monday, 22 August 2022
Mangrove gets you ready for the Christmas Spirit!
To aid the merriment – a well selected tipple or two always helps to get the festivities off to a good start.
Spirits that are somewhat uncommon or unique make for excellent Christmas gifts and UK Spirits Distributor of the Year, Mangrove UK, has a stunning range that's destined to satisfy even the most particular and discerning palette.
We all have a modern man to buy for; someone who's unlikely to jump for joy when unwrapping your present! For the discerning recipient, we say gift them a sizeable dose of Christmas spirit! Black Cow Vodka Christmas Spirit has all the ingredients of Christmas pudding, macerated in velvety smooth Black Cow vodka.
The recipe for Christmas Spirit was created at the Black Cow kitchen table using an assortment of winter fruits and spices. This can be drunk topped with champagne for a sparkling Christmas champagne cocktail, garnished with a twist of orange zest. Or for something to warm his heart serve Christmas Spirit with warmed, cloudy apple juice.
Ocado £25 (37.5% ABV)
Indulgence and luxury are good qualities to look for in a gift, particularly when it's for someone as special as your Mum.
Esprit de Figues, the world's first true fig liqueur is a sweet liqueur, crafted and bottled in the 150 year old family distillery in Burgundy. Rich handpicked Violette de Bordeaux Figs are carefully infused for three months, to release their delicious taste and essence.
The artisan distillers are using the finest techniques to create this exquisite liqueur which captures the true essence of fresh fig, raspberry jam with a subtle hint of peach and honey. An elegant addition to cocktails or just drink it on its own for an indulgent after dinner drink.
Master of Malt £24.94 (18% ABV)
Quite often the shot of choice on a night out with friends or colleagues is tequila (and an excellent choice of Aperitivo on Christmas Day). So why not give the gift of a good time with Tequila-based liqueur - VIVIR Café VS?
Made with award-winning VIVIR Tequila Blanco and flavoured with Mexican coffee beans, this exquisite liqueur has a little sweetness from the Piloncillo, a natural Mexican cane sugar, as well as an authentic rich coffee flavour with a subtle Agave finish.
Delicious savoured by itself and superb in classic coffee cocktails, including the Espresso Martini. It's a winner for anyone who loves a little cocktail.
Master of Malt £32. (40% ABV).
Sometimes there's nothing sweeter than a little nostalgia at Christmas, especially for those of a certain age.
The English Whisky Company from Norfolk have created Norfolk Nog, a wonderful whisky cream. Made with English Single Malt Whisky and lots of cream, the resulting Nog is both light and delicate. Best served on ice, but equally at home poured over ice cream, this is a drink to be shared with the family.
The English Whisky Company £22.50 (ABV 19%).
Christmas is a time to be thankful. And there's no better way to thank someone than by giving a carefully selected and well-suited spirit to sip over the festive period. Sloeberry & Blackcurrant from Portobello Road Distillery fits the bill.
Made by distilling a botanically intense version of their London Dry Gin which is then blended with sloe berries foraged from the wilds of Burgundy, a French blackcurrant liqueur, an Italian cherry liqueur, and a little sugar. Everything is rested in ex-whiskey barrels at their home on London's iconic Portobello Road. The result is intensely and re-assuringly “ginny” but also possessing a multifaceted stone fruit character, a welcome syrupy sweetness, and a subtle wood influence from the barrel. Delicious over ice, in your favourite cocktail, or if you're like us, straight from your hip flask.
Ocado £27 (ABV 28%)
So, skip the socks, say "no!" to the gift card, and pick the perfect Christmas spirit. After all, there's no better time than the festive period, to eat, drink, and be merry!
Mangrove UK can be found at www.mangroveuk.com
Mangrove UK was established by John Coe and Nick Gillett back in 2014 and now employs over 30 specialist spirits professionals, mixologists, sales and brand experts with extensive experience in both the On and Off trade UK spirits market.
Elephant Gin Launch Independent Fundraising Platform
Keen to give back to the continent that inspires them, 15% of bottle profits are donated to the endangered African elephant.
Summer 2022 sees two major new milestones for the independent, London and Berlin based brand: the announcement of one million Euros raised for African elephant conservation to date, and the launch of the Elephant Gin Foundation (www.elephantginfoundation.org), an independent platform for a sustainable, longstanding commitment to wildlife protection in Africa.
Based in London, the Elephant Gin Foundation is a non-profit foundation dedicated to protecting African wildlife, with a particular focus on elephants and the preservation of their habitats.
The new charity will allow Tessa and Robin to generate further attention to the plight of African wildlife and additional funds for these important projects.
Elephant Gin's customers and supporters will now have the chance to donate to wildlife protection projects directly, and they'll also be able to choose which projects they will support. Elephant Gin will continue to donate 15% of bottle profits, which will now flow directly into the Elephant Gin Foundation, who will manage distribution of funds.
Every year over 35,000 elephants are shamelessly killed because of uncontrolled ivory poaching; that is one every 15 minutes.
This is why Elephant Gin donates 15% of their bottle profits to elephant conservation projects. Tessa Gerlach said: “If we want future generations to continue to experience African nature and its wild animals, then we as a society urgently need to take responsibility.
"The Foundation allows us to manage, and become active in, charitable projects independently of Elephant Gin. We can report more transparently and bind partners and customers more closely to the projects we select. As Elephant Gin grows internationally as a gin brand, our commitment to the protection of African elephants grows too; the foundation umbrella allows us to keep a clear focus on both goals. The 15% that Elephant Gin has invested per bottle since the company started has not changed, and as the Founders of the foundation, Robin and I continue to stand behind all decisions.”
The foundation's efforts will be focused on the following three threat factors:
Poaching - commercial trade in ivory
Over the past 50 years, elephant populations have declined drastically due to poachers hunting elephants for their ivory. Even today, with ivory banned from sale in much of the world, there are regular discoveries of elephants that were killed for their ivory.
Loss of natural habitat
Africa is experiencing tremendous population growth; large parts of elephant habitat have been taken over for farmland and new infrastructure. The land which has been lost is fragmented, meaning elephant populations have been separated, with no easy path to roam. As a result, the genetic exchange decreases and it is more difficult for individual animals to migrate from densely populated regions to more sparse areas
Human-wildlife conflicts due to increasing population, further narrowing elephant habitats
Due to the fragmented land elephants are left to graze, they are forced to travel long distances in search of food; it is becoming more difficult to create safe corridors from one food island to another. The cultivation of crops, especially corn, attracts elephants, who repeatedly plunder the farmers' fields. A whole year's harvest can be lost in one night.
With the funds generated through bottle sales and fundraising events, Elephant Gin has been able to help ensure that no elephants were poached in the sanctuaries of their partner organisation, Big Life Foundation, in the last three years. More specifically, the funds have contributed to:
Funding 55 Big Life Foundation rangers who patrol the bush, day in and day out, to protect elephants from poachers
Ongoing support for the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, known as the most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation programme in the world
Continued sponsorship of 25 orphaned elephants by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Establishment of “The Wildlife Spirit” – an education centre focused on teaching local youth and adults about wildlife conservation and giving visitors the opportunity to learn about elephants and their importance to the ecosystem; as well as the Nairobi-based Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Securing corridor projects
Support for research projects (Elephants without Borders)
Quality, tradition, a love of experimentation and an awareness of responsible, fair, and meaningful business practices are standards that Elephant Gin has strictly adhered to since the company was founded. Tessa and Robin were adamant that their fundraising would have a meaningful and tangible impact, visiting and maintaining constant dialogue with the foundations they support.
Tessa remarked on the €1million milestone, “What we have been able to achieve for wildlife conservation in Kenya is not only thanks to our dedicated local partners, but also to our wonderful supporters. We are very proud of the outstanding achievements to date. But, if we don't continue to do everything we can to support local organisations in their vital work, African elephants will be extinct by 2040. So, while we celebrate our fundraising success and all those who remain loyal to us on this path, we remain motivated and are steering full steam ahead towards the next million.”
What is it about Elephant Gin? Better Gins!
Elephant Gin Founders, Tessa and Robin Gerlach, were inspired to create their range of premium handcrafted gins following their adventures in Africa. In 2013 they developed their award-winning Elephant London Dry Gin (45%) that uses rare African botanicals and focuses on resolutely artisan production methods. The portfolio was complemented by the aromatic Elephant Sloe Gin (35%), the full-bodied Elephant Strength Gin (57%) and the fresh Elephant Orange Cocoa Gin (40%).
Inspired by the African sundowner experience, Elephant Gin combines rare African botanicals with fresh apples and pure spring water to create handcrafted premium gins. This composition gives the gin a complex and strikingly mild bouquet with floral, fruity and spicy aromas.
Each of Elephant Gin's unique bottles is individually crafted with handwritten labels, excerpts of African maps and an embossed crest of the Maasai.
Elephant Gin is fresh from winning Taste Master at The Spirits Business' Gin Masters Awards 2021, having been awarded the world's best gin by a panel of independent judges who described the gin as simply “stunning”.
Safer Elephants.
Elephant Gin gives back to the continent that has inspired the brand in the first place: 15% of the bottle profits are donated to the endangered African elephant. So far, over €1,000,000 has been raised through sales and fundraising events. From May 2022, donations will go directly to the Elephant Gin Foundation, a grant-making foundation that invests in African elephant conservation and educational projects.
The themes of sustainability and social responsibility are reflected in all facets of the company, from waste reduction and innovative recycling initiatives to training and providing jobs in local communities in South Africa and Kenya.
Better Gin. Safer Elephants.
Key Stockists (Range varies between outlets)
Ocado, Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason, The Whiskey Exchange, and the Elephant Gin Online Shop at www.elephant-gin.com
Bar Stockists include
Oriole, The Gibson, The Coral Room, Davies & Brooks, Dukes, The Dorchester, Mr Fogg's, Amazonico, 5 Hertford Street, Hotel Café Royal, Quo Vadis, 45 Jermyn Street, Eve Bar.
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