New Business selling Food Dishes - How to approach supermarkets?

[oodya]

Hi All,

My uncle is a very good cook and can cook some very tasty Indian dishes. We are now trying to get a dish or two on the shelves of supermarkets in the "Meals to go" section. I don't think anyone sells the dish that he is trying to sell at the moment. I feel that if a supermarket decided to give him a chance, the dish would be very successful. We have had a number of people complimenting it and wondering why we haven't tried to approach any stores.

I have never approached a supermarket and would not know where to start. Does anybody have any ideas? Any information is much appreciated.

Thanks,

Oodya.

 

[papverpoppies]

Hi All,

My uncle is a very good cook and can cook some very tasty Indian dishes. We are now trying to get a dish or two on the shelves of supermarkets in the "Meals to go" section. I don't think anyone sells the dish that he is trying to sell at the moment. I feel that if a supermarket decided to give him a chance, the dish would be very successful. We have had a number of people complimenting it and wondering why we haven't tried to approach any stores.

I have never approached a supermarket and would not know where to start. Does anybody have any ideas? Any information is much appreciated.

Thanks,

Oodya.

Where are you cooking these meals - in the kitchen at home?

Trying to get your home cooking accepted by the supermarkets, if this is indeed what you are trying to do, is basically impossible.

The supermarkets have chefs and speciality cooks all working on recipes, cooking and tasting.

Your only chance (and lets face it, you have nothing to loose) is to just contact them, and see what they say - but I would imagine they get calls/letters/emails from people like yourself all of the time, so the answer in most cases will be no!

People who are good cooks (and this is meant with no disrespect) always think they have something they could sell.

What you must remember is that, working on a recipe that is going to go into mass reproduction, is 'nothing' like cooking for your friends and family.

I watched a programme once about a lady who sent her recipe for a soup to a food programme, her recipe won and Baxters (it was a competition run by the programme) marketed her soup. It was vastly different from the soup she made (idea was hers) but the end product was theirs.

Research via the Internet, and contact the stores, but do not hold your breath.

Poppy

 

[DaveSUK]

With regards to the meals to go section are you referring to the frozen ready means or the Aisian take away style means.

If your referring to the take away style meals the supper markets such as Asda and Tesco actually prepare and package these in store.

 

[oldeagleeye]

No chance unless you have a highly professional set-up and your talking at least £100,000 for the kitchen.

 

[TFGtv]

My uncle is a very good cook and can cook some very tasty Indian dishes.

I'm afraid that advert where you see the little boy sitting at the table growing up into the MD of a major food manufacturer has only the tiniest grain of reality left in it. I've older relatives who are in the catering trade and grew up watching how it works; we've even family friends in specialist import, wholesale and retail in the shape of ethnic 'mini markets', and even have a pound or two invested in a family restaurant myself (though I have almost nothing to do with its management) so I've seen a bit of it...

NONE of that would even begin to equip me to run a business of the type you suggest.... In fact about the only thing growing up around that trade has taught me is it's far harder than it looks. And even with experienced people on hand to guide, it wouldn't be an easy business to run.

Producing even the simplest of food for public consumption is a complex business far removed from that of cooking for one's own family. And creating pre-pack food for retail sale does indeed require a large investment in all of premises, manufacturing and packing equipment, meeting food hygiene and quality standards.

The supermarkets buy only 'ready to roll' products. And are about the last place you're likely to see a new or innovative food product from a small manufacturer.

Without wishing to be over discouraging your original question seems naive in this respect. And suggests that you've not done the basic legwork to establish just exactly what is involved. It may well be that there is an outlet for your Uncle's talents... But realistically it would take major investment and the backing of the right people to become another Patak's or Levi Roots...

 

[vvaannmmaann]

OP Look out for "Jimmy's Food Factory",a BBC tv Programme.He went around a modern factory making curries for supermarket.A huge building,dozens of guys working there,huge conveyor belts,ovens,freezers,everything monitored,stainless steel etc etc
And of course a huge financial investment,so maybe not the route for you.
Also the supermarkets can dictate to all their suppliers on price,and some of them will want you to pay to have your product on their shelves,they will want you to collect food that is past it's sell by date,they will want you to pay for distribution to their stores!
But what about a market stall selling direct to consumers? Low start up costs,and not too risky financially.Keep the EH Officer happy and you'll be fine.
Good luck with it.