Rob Cunningham, of Maynard’s Farm, at Weston-under-Redcastle, is supplying treacle cured bacon, Cumberland sausages, cooked ham, gammon steaks and black pudding to diners in The Shard, one of the tallest buildings in Europe.
The produce goes to Aqua Shard, an all-day restaurant serving contemporary British cuisine on level 31 of the iconic 87-storey skyscraper, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano.
A deal was struck when Mr Cunningham, a Wem NFU member, was at an Action Against Hunger event, in London, and had the good fortune to meet Hugh Wright, Aqua Restaurant Group communications manager.
The two men got talking about Aqua Shard and the launch of its breakfast menu and Rob was asked to submit samples of his artisan cures and specialist pork products; from there the relationship developed.
Mr Cunningham said: “It was a classic case of being in the right place at the right time.
“That and having the high quality product that met with Aqua Shard’s rigorous standards.
“It has been great for business and we are continuing to see sales into food service grow.”
The Shard is nearly 310 metres high, has more than 10,000 glass panels and the design was influenced by the irregular nature of the site when the London Bridge Quarter was redeveloped.
Maynard’s Farm is also listed on Rick Stein’s website after the restaurateur and television presenter, who is an advocate of great tasting British produce, endorsed their produce and named them one of his super food heroes.
Last year Maynard’s gained three gold awards in the Great Taste Awards and this year they took an accolade at the Great British Food Farm Produce Awards. Their cracked black pepper sausage won the prize for the Best Traditional Sausage category.
Mr Cunningham has developed a series of sausage recipes since taking over the business in 2001 and his brilliant bangers can also be found in Shrewsbury’s Lion and Pheasant or The Bear Hotel, at Hodnet, as well as being bought direct from the business alongside his many other products.
For further details call 01948 840252, email c2FsZXNAbWF5bmFyZHNmYXJtLmNvLnVr or go to www.maynardsfarm.co.uk