A Yorkshire entrepreneur has set his sights on giving food lovers across the UK a true taste of Yorkshire by combining his love of fine cuisine and passion for technology.

Richard McWhinnie, recently launched a brand new specialist website that brings together a specially selected range of gastronomic delights from small independent producers from across the region, after realising that few specialist food producers were currently selling their goods online – instead relying on sales generated from local retailers and trade from restaurants. The idea for the business was inspired by childhood memories of sitting in the back of his parents car, as they regularly travelled over 180 miles to buy meat from their favourite butcher. After recognising the efforts that some food lovers would go to find high quality produce, Richard developed the idea for a new website, allowing food producers to connect directly with food lovers.

After identifying a niche in the market, Richard has secured exclusive deals with a number of independent suppliers, helping to bring together a unique range of rare and unusual cheeses, chutneys and pickles, alongside carefully produced meats and fish – which are typically found on the menus of some of the most exclusive restaurants in the UK and launched Yorkshire’s Finest Foods – a specialist site that brings together produce from across the four corners of the region. As well as offering the chance to find out information about the producers and stocking a wide range of produce, Richard has developed a number of special food hampers ranging from a traditional Yorkshire Breakfast box to rare breed steaks and Yorkshire made cheeses.

Since launching his business, Richard has successfully secured orders from almost every part of the UK and he has developed regular customers in Cornwall and even Lancashire.

Richard McWhinnie said: “Yorkshire is well known for foods such as Yorkshire Puddings, rhubarb and liquorice but the sheer diversity and quality of food available in the region, often from independent suppliers who are driven by their own passion for creating high quality produce is something that’s often overlooked.

“Many independent food producers find themselves in a difficult catch 22, being squeezed on costs by supermarkets and as a result, the quality inevitably suffers. I wanted to create an opportunity that offered a fair deal for Yorkshire’s food, a greater choice and a chance for food lovers to connect directly with the producers. It’s a win-win.

“Food and cooking has always been a passion of mine. When I was younger I remember my parents making a 180 mile round trip to their favourite butcher and coming back with a months’ worth of meat to turn into hearty family meals. That’s where my passion for food comes from but I wanted to create an opportunity to help people access produce which would otherwise have meant a long drive or putting the date of the farmers market in the diary – and in many cases this simply isn’t practical.

“I wanted make it easy for people to access quality produce and get online and more interested in food. Where food originates from is an increasingly important subject in the food industry at the moment and I wanted Yorkshire’s Finest Foods to not only be a place to buy goods, but to meet the suppliers and understand the labour of love that many invest in their goods.

“I love being able to introduce new companies that produce, work and live in Yorkshire to customers around the UK. The Yorkshire food industry is becoming more popular and I am excited to share it with more people.”

For more information, visit: www.yorkshires-finest-foods.co.uk

About The Author

Catherine Scott is Associate Features Editor for Yorkshire Post Newspapers. A self-confessed foodie, she is also a judge of the Deliciousyorkshire/Yorkshire Post Taste Awards.

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