Welcome to the latest TOB Producer Case Study! In this series you can get to know members of our TOB family of producers a little better, and find out how working with us has made a difference. Don’t forget, every order you place helps the family of independent producers that supply us – thank you for supporting small business!

Meet the Producer

Andy and James met when their daughters become best friends at the local school. Andy grew up on a pig farm and James was a member of a small village cooperative of 6 families who raised livestock, and it wasn’t long before they discovered that they shared a passion for curing meats and making salami. Over a pint of cider at a local lawn-mower race (this is Somerset, after all!), the idea for a quality British Charcuterie business was conceived. Both of them had run their own food businesses for several years and could see an opportunity to develop a range of products that followed traditional Spanish, French and Italian methods but were adapted to the British market and capitalised on the rich food culture of the South West.

Within 6 months the first products were ready to try out on family and friends and, with some encouraging feedback, the first farmers markets were booked to test the product on the general public. The buzz around the stall at the first market was electric and the decision was made. Somerset Charcuterie was born!

Welcome to the family

Before our MD Helen started Taste of Bath, she was running her own food production business, Rich Pickings, selling sensational pate at the famous Bath Farmers’ Market. She met Somerset Charcuterie co-founder James there as a fellow seller, and when she tried the charcuterie it was love at first bite! She was already working on the idea for a fantastic hamper business showing off the best local produce, and knew that Somerset Charcuterie would have to be part of it.

No ordinary supplier relationship

As we know only too well, producing food and drink to sell to the general public is rewarding but definitely not easy! That’s why Taste of Bath was founded, to celebrate all the amazing food and drink we have locally and amplify the reach of those brilliant small producers. Somerset Charcuterie co-founder Andy thrives on a challenge, from liaising with customers and navigating an ever-changing landscape to moving the business forward, but no one can do this alone – Andy says, “Taste of Bath really help to highlight the rich offering of Westcountry produce like ours.”

The sky’s the limit

Somerset Charcuterie have recently launched a new trade ordering website to hopefully reduce the amount of man hours spent taking orders – which means they can concentrate on more fun parts of the business like new products, promotions and spreading the word about charcuterie!

With a silver and two golds at the most recent Taste of the West Awards, the business is going from strength to strength, and we can’t wait to see what they do next. We’ve heard there are new products in the pipeline for 2024, so watch this space…