The reputation of Irish beef in the United States was further boosted last week by the positive reaction of influential US beef distributors and food writers, brought to Ireland by Bord Bia. The delegates met with beef farmers and processors who will be supplying American diners now that the market is open to Irish beef. The visitors were impressed with their experience in tasting of Irish beef and were enthusiastic to develop business relationships as quickly as possible.
The distributors included De Bragga & Spitler, Pilot Foods and Dole and Bailey who supply the leading eateries in New York and Boston. They showed an in-depth knowledge of Irish beef and were highly impressed by the farms and plants they visited and with Bord Bia`s Origin Green Programme. The visits followed active engagement by Bord Bia`s office in New York including the introduction of the Irish beef companies to distributors during Marketplace Boston in September 2014.
Exports of Irish beef to the United States are already under way and additional plants are being added to the existing list of approved export premises. Bord Bia continues to attract new US customers to Irish beef through direct contact, in-store tastings and promotions and through its Irish beef website. The experience of the food journalists was also very positive and these opinion formers will raise the profile of Irish beef and increase its appeal to an audience which is prepared to pay for the Irish beef experience.
Beef Distributors:
- DeBragga & Spitler are the leading specialist foodservice meat distributor in NYC metropolitan area, servicing fine dining restaurants including Michelin starred Daniel, Le Bernadin, Aureole, and 5 star hotels. They also air and ship meat to exclusive resorts in Bermuda and the Caribbean. They carry a wide range of premium meats, including Kobe & Wagyu from Japan, natural beef from Australia and conventional US beef. They age to spec in their aging room.
- Headquartered in Los Angeles California, Pilot Brands is a specialist importer, distributor and marketer of premium quality branded grass-fed meats. Through their distributor partnership network, they service retail and foodservice accounts across the US.
- Dole and Bailey is the oldest Food Purveyor in the United State, founded in 1868 in historic Faneuil Hall, Boston Massachusetts. They currently source, further fabricate and distribute $50 million worth of premium meats, seafood produce and specialty food annually. They service over 2000 customers in the Northeast include the finest restaurants, colleges, caterers and boutique retailers.
- Robert Rosenthal - www.thedailymeal.com
- Gabriella Gershonsen - Everyday with Rachael Ray Magazine
- Mary-Frances Heck - Chef and contributor to www.luckypeach.com
Food Journalists:
Rory O'Donnell (second from right) explains his beef production system to US beef distributors Dole and Bailey on his farm in Clashwilliam, Goran, Co. Kilkenny. Also in picture (L-R) are Chris Williams, Operations Manager Dole and Bailey, Mark Zieg, Bord Bia and Robin Plamondon, Director Meat Purchasing, Dole and Bailey.