Mediterranean sunshine for UK

iB Food has been around for 15 years supplying authentic Mediterranean ingredients to restaurants throughout the UK.Catering Update catches up with MD Isabella Gambuzzi

Isabella Gambuzzi, Managing Director of authentic Mediterranean ingredients supplier, iB Food Plc is a woman on a mission. A mission, that is, to stamp out mediocrity in food service by encouraging a greater use of speciality ingredients to enhance every day cuisine.

Isabella's passion for good food stems from a childhood spent in her parent's Italian restaurants in south London. It was here, and during long summers in Italy, that her interest in all things food developed and to make a career in the catering industry was therefore a natural progression.

iB Food was formed in 1987 by Isabella and her late husban Carlo, who is identified a niche opportunity to supply authentic Mediterranean chef ingredients to the UK food service trade. The objective was to encourage increassed popularity of the wonderful cuisine which had formed the staple diet in some areas of Italy for centuries. This was achieved by bringing in speciality items, all of which are sourced direct from artissan producers in Italy and are made to traditional regional recipes using home made or local produce.

The company has gone from strenght to strength and today carries a product range of over 300 ambient items. The range includes 35 unusual dried egg pastas and over 30 different sauces, as well as ectra virgin olive oils, balsamic vingegars, olives and capers plus meat and fish.

Isabella explains: "Speciality ingredients improve flavour, colour, texture and quality of the dish and can be very cost effective, because if used corrently, a little goes a long way. Take for example the following recipe.

"Our sales team, which includes fully trained chefs, have all the skills and experience to advise on any aspect of preparing exquisite Mediterranean cuisine and are only too happy to undertake prudct demonstrations for the customer's benefit. Customers regularly receive free recipe suggestions and these are based on providing the innovative chef with a simple way to develop creative a exciting dishes with the minimum of labour.

One product which is currently generating a lot of interest is iB Food's new Lamb Stincotto, a succulent and full flavoured pre-cooked lamb shank, enhanced with fresh Italian herbs. The average portion size of 360g provides a very generous meal for one, even for customers with the heartiest appetite! The Stincotto has an ambient shelf life of 18 months and therefore is ideal for busy chefs who need the flexibility to ad a meat dish to the menu at short notice. Isabella recommends serving the lamb with fresh seasonal vegetables, or incorporating it into more elaborate dishes such as a spicy Tagine or Gypsy Lamb with grilled artichokes.