Page 127 - Bord Bia - Irish Foodservice Directory 2024

Product mix

The hotel restaurants are constantly evolving to reflect changing tastes,
trends and diversity of customers. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are fully
catered for along with weddings and Conference & Banqueting.

Restaurants cater for the high end of the market, with most food cooked
from scratch in each of the restaurants.

Opportunities for Irish food and drink suppliers

There remain strong opportunities for good artisan products across the
board, but at the right price and with well organised distribution.

The group has very strong relationships with their existing suppliers, and
they will look to introduce innovative new products and source products
that are required. All food offerings use Irish products as much as is
feasible.

Purchasing policy and supplier requirements

There exists a strong preference to source local produce. Good quality
produce and products are the cornerstone of the group’s purchasing policy.
Equally, ingredient pricing is an important function, particularly at the
moment when keen pricing is vital to facilitate customer value and special
offer menus.

Suppliers’ premises are audited directly every 12 months. There is typically
no charge to suppliers for these audits. Full HACCP and EHO accreditation
and the most recent audit documentation must be available on request at
all times.

Purchasing is fully controlled on a central system through the Group
General Manager, who also manages the expectations and requirements of
the Head Chefs and Food & Beverage Managers at each property.

Tendering is generally every 12 months, but prices are monitored regularly
as part of ongoing cost reviews and regular contact is kept with all
incumbent suppliers.
Pricing is based on fixed prices with no particular emphasis placed on LTAs,
rebates/retrospective deals.
Deliveries are made six days per week and vary by product category. They
must be made to each hotel individually.

Payments are made through the central system at the group’s Head Office
with all statements, etc. handled there.

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