Union Kitchen - blending the best of food and enterprise

Co-Founder of Union Kitchen, Jonas Singer, was in Waterford to provide an informative insight into “Food Businesses Collaborating for Success.”  The event which was hosted in Waterford’s Medieval Museum brought together some of the regions best food producers. 

The ‘kitchen incubator’ concept, which Union Kitchen in Washington DC fosters, allows small businesses to share resources, kitchen space, ideas and inspiration.  It also gives would-be food entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn about all aspects of the food business; everything from licensing and regulations to marketing and customer service.

George Boyle of Fumbally Exchange, a not for profit movement of creative and innovative professionals sharing work spaces, also spoke of the benefits of a work collective, which ultimately cultivates an atmosphere for creative and regenerative growth.

Dermot Walsh of M&D Bakery, along with three other bakeries, joined forces and were successful in getting Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) for the Waterford Blaa in 2013.  Dermot recalled how his experience of “working together can achieve far more than working alone.”

The event was brought to Waterford by the US Embassy and GIY Ireland, with assistance from Waterford City Enterprise Board.

Michael Kelly, founder of GIY Ireland was delighted that such visionaries were in Waterford to share their ideas and experiences.  Michael said “Jonas Singer has created a food movement that takes a lot of uncertainty out of setting up a food business.  All of the businesses at Union Kitchen avail of an abundance of resources, support and common sense that prepares them for the challenges of the food industry.”

Union Kitchen opened its doors in Washington DC in 2012 with the aim of giving food entrepreneurs a collaborative space to leverage the power of working as a group.  Today, the 7,300 sq. ft warehouse is home to over 50 small food businesses ranging from caters and bakers to food trucks and charcuterie makers.

Michael added, “Union Kitchen and Fumbally Exchange have both successfully consolidated a myriad of skill sets, knowledge, professions and infrastructure to help grow the businesses within the collective. It’s a wonderful concept and if realised here can only encourage many entrepreneurs to focus on the food industry and put Ireland firmly at the centre of the global epicurean spotlight.”

Ciaran Cullen, CEO (Acting) Waterford City Enterprise Board, added “These three speakers bring a wealth of experience, vibrancy and energy.  Collectives work and they have proven it, because they diminish costs, they harness a creative and ardent working atmosphere and each member of the collective benefits from the skills and knowledge of others within the group.”

“Here in Waterford we have invested heavily in funding local food producers in the past and will continue to do so.  In fact, one of our most successful projects, the Enterprising Food Network, was founded almost three years ago with the objective of assisting food producers in the areas of branding and packaging, distribution and networking.  The group, made up of restaurants, food producers and horticultural groups, now has 43 members and continues to grow.”

For further details on “Food Businesses collaborating for success”, visit www.unionkitchendc.com, Waterford City Enterprise Boards’ Enterprising Food Network at www.waterfordceb.com or GIY at www.giyinternational.org.

Minister Coveney congratulates Waterford Blaa Bakers Association on prestigious PGI award!

Simon Coveney, TD Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, at a reception in Waterford’s Medieval Museum expressed delight at the inclusion of Waterford Blaa/ Blaa as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) in the exclusive list of protected food names in the EU.

This prestigious designation means that the Waterford Blaa can claim its place among the ranks of internationally renowned products such as Italy’s Parma Ham, France’s Camembert de Normandie Cheese and Greece’s Kalamata Olive Oil. 

“This is no small achievement for the Waterford Blaa bakers. A PGI is a symbol of quality within Europe and quality is an issue for every food producer and consumer. EU quality schemes identify foodstuffs produced to exacting specifications with proven links to the geographical area in which they are produced.”

The Minister added “The publication of the Waterford Blaa/Blaa registration follows close engagement between the Waterford Blaa Bakers Association, my Department and the European Commission.  I strongly encourage other groups of food producers to come together to see if your local foods could also qualify for the EU register of protected food names and to work with my Department on presenting the best possible case for recognition”.

  

“The Blaa Bakers are an example to all that Irish products can achieve success at the highest level.  I hope others will follow as we celebrate tonight with other pioneers – Connemara Hill Lamb and Imokilly Regato.  It can be done and we want more groups of producers to take on the challenge.”
 

In 2009, a meeting of four traditional family bakeries from County Waterford and South Kilkenny led to the establishment of the Waterford Blaa Bakers Association.  The main objectives of the group were to protect the Waterford Blaa as a traditional Irish food product and to register it as a protected food product in Europe.

The group members, M & D Bakery, Hickey’s Bakery, Barron’s Bakery and Kilmacow Bakery, are delighted that their famous bread product has been successful in its application for PGI status.

Mr. Dermot Walsh of M & D Bakery said that the implications of PGI for the Waterford Blaa are significant.  “The Waterford Blaa is now produced under a new traceability scheme which clearly defines recipes and baking processes.  All bakers must follow EU approved guidelines and the Waterford Blaa can only be produced within the geographic area of County Waterford and its surrounds.”

Bakers use their loaf and prove they have what it takes to succeed!

M and D Bakery, the well known third generation family bakery was announced as the overall winner of the Waterford City Enterprise Awards and will go on to represent Waterford at the National Enterprise Awards which take place in Dublin Castle in November.

Founded by brothers Dermot and Michael Walsh, the bakery supplies a selection of baked “morning goods” to the households, shops, restaurants and hotels of Waterford.  However, M and D Bakery is probably best known for its production of a truly local delicacy, the blaa.

M and D Bakery has been a constant on the baking landscape in Waterford for almost thirty years and produces over 8,000 blaas a day.  More recently M and D Bakery spearheaded the drive, along with three local blaa bakers, to have the blaa safeguarded with a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).  With PGI status the once humble Waterford blaa can anticipate a standing equal to that of Stilton Cheese or the Cornish Pasty.

Speaking of the enterprise award, Dermot Walsh said, “We are delighted and honoured to be acknowledged by Waterford City Enterprise Board.  When we started the business almost thirty years ago, our focus was to bring good quality bread products to the city and environs.”

“However, as demand for the blaa grew, particularly outside of Waterford we needed to innovate and invest in ways to make it “travel” friendly.  The blaa is simply made from flour, water, yeast and salt with no preservatives or artificial additives, thus it has a very short shelf life.”

“With assistance from Waterford City Enterprise Board we invested in a freezer room which allows us to blast freeze the blaas so we can supply them to the rest of the country, Northern Ireland, Great Britain and now France.”

“Even though it was the French Huguenots who introduced the blaa to Waterford in the 1690’s, we’re sending it back there in 2013!”

Organised by the County and City Enterprise Boards, the National Enterprise Awards recognise outstanding micro enterprises in Ireland.  Ciaran Cullen, CEO, Waterford City Enterprise Board is delighted to support M and D Bakery in their pursuit of new export markets.

 

“Dermot and Michael have shown that there are great opportunities for growth if you explore further afield.  The blaa, which was practically unknown outside of Waterford, can now be found in food stores, forecourts and restaurants across Dublin, Belfast, Britain and even as far as Paris.”

“The Walsh brothers are passionate about what they produce and they produce it well.  With accolades such as the 2010/11 Good Food Producer award, a Euro Toques Taste Award and Gold at the 2012 Blas na hEireann Awards, they will represent Waterford with pride at next months National Enterprise Awards.”

If you want to find out more about M and D Bakery visit www.manddbakery.ie or call 051 378080.  Alternatively if you have a business idea and want to find out more about capital financing, mentoring or start up assistance talk to Waterford City Enterprise Board on 051 852883 or www.waterfordceb.com.