Member Benefits

“With billions of plastic disposable straws being put in general waste per year, we are starting to face the issue of these straws ending up in landfill, our oceans and the environment in general. Due to the environmental impact and impending UK & EU bans of single use straws in 2020 / 2021, consumers are starting to look for reusable solutions.

This is why VASO have created a range of premium glass straws offer consumers a reusable, sustainable and recyclable product that delivers a 100% pure taste as they are free from plastics, toxins, mineral oils and BPA. The straws are also easy to clean, simply place them with your glassware in the sink or in the dishwasher.

The VASO product range offers consumers an environmentally friendly solution of high quality, reusable products. Our glass straws are produced in Germany from strong, premium quality glass. The structure and glass quality have been engineered to provide a safe alternative to disposable straws. We also offer a range of high quality bamboo travel cases, designed specifically for our three lengths of straws.

Each of our products and their packaging are created from sustainable materials, that are fully recyclable. Our entire range, from inception to production have been designed to meet our philosophy of delivering eco-friendly, reusable, sustainable and recyclable products that deliver a fantastic experience for the customer, without compromising quality.”

With farms in Hampshire and Dorset, The Wasabi Company is the only grower of wasabi in the UK. The plants are grown in (disused) Victorian watercress beds to mimic the Japanese mountainside, their native environment.

The Wasabi Company cultivates tens of thousands of wasabi plants, yielding up to 2 tons of wasabi a year. Everything is done by hand from the planting and harvesting of the plants, to the preparation of the rhizomes for their customers. The plants take two years to mature so it’s been a long journey, learning about the foibles of the plant as they’ve gone along, but it’s been worth it, and they now supply many of the UK’s top restaurants including Umu, Ynyshir Hall, Gordon Ramsay and The Raby Hunt.

As well as growing fresh wasabi, The Wasabi Company also sells an extensive range of Japanese products from small artisanal producers and makes a range of Wasabi Company own-label products including the only mustard and mayonnaise containing fresh wasabi, a wasabi vodka and various products that feature the classic Japanese citrus fruit Yuzu, many of which have been awarded Great Taste Awards.

All the products can be viewed and bought from thewasabicompany.co.uk

The Products 

Although fresh English wasabi remains the beating heart of The Wasabi Company, product expansion has been, and is, customer led as top chefs have asked for ever more specialist Japanese products to accompany their fresh wasabi orders.

This has resulted in The Wasabi Company developing an exciting and unique portfolio of specialist ingredients and products, many of which are exclusive to the UK. They work with a number of small, artisanal Japanese producers to supply top quality soy sauces, vinegars, sakes, miso and noodles to name but a few of the products on offer.

The Wasabi Company has also launched its own-label range of condiments and sauces including English wasabi mayonnaise, English wasabi mustard, Yuzu mayonnaise & Yuzu mustard. Using all-natural ingredients these products are fresh tasting with perfectly balanced flavours and packed with citrus and umami, the very essence of Japanese cuisine. Originally aimed at the retail market, these are now also available to the HORECA sector.

Female Voices in The Craft Guild of Chefs
At Women In The Food Industry we are delighted to partner with The Craft Guild of Chefs. Established in 1965 as a Guild of the Cookery and Food Association, the Craft Guild of Chefs has developed into the leading Chefs’ Association in the UK and has many members worldwide. Look out for some exciting offers for our members and also news from the Guild’s annual National Chef of the Year Awards.  We spoke to three female members of the Guild about their experience, how the industry has been for female chefs / managers and what piece of wisdom they would give to their younger self right now.

Join for free using code: CGOC100WIFI

https://www.womeninthefoodindustry.com/female-voices-in-the-craft-guild-of-chefs/

Kelly’s Cause Foundation is a charity that aims to create a mentally healthy hospitality industry for all through Mental Health First Aid training, awareness-raising, and stigma reduction. Kelly’s Cause was founded in honour of Kelly, a young, talented chef who sadly took her own life at just 23. 
 
Kelly’s Cause are excited to be able to deliver their two-day hospitality Mental Health First Aid course in-person again.  
 
Participants on the course will learn practical skills to spot the signs of a number of different mental health issues and develop the confidence needed to support a person in a mental health crisis using the Mental Health First Aid action plan. They’ll also obtain a wealth of resources that can be used to assist others, and develop an understanding of how to look after their own well being while performing their duties as a Mental Health First Aider.

Our members receive a 50% discount for all Kelly’s Cause courses using the code CRAFTGUILD50.

To register or find out more information about the course click here. They also offer in-house courses for hospitality businesses looking to create a mentally healthy workplace with eight or more staff to train. For more information on these please email hello@kellyscause.com. 

Craft Guild of Chefs offer: save over 4O% + 1 month free

A digital members’ club for the hospitality industry Save up to 5O% when you dine out

Exclusive member offers and perks. 

View offer and how to join

Are you paying too much for your present private medical plan? Why not take a look at the HMCA plans and compare the benefits and subscriptions offered? You may transfer to HMCA at any age and without a medical examination; there will be no break in protection and there is a 14 day money-back guarantee.

HMCA only offer medical plans to membership groups and can offer up to a 40% discount off the underwriter’s standard rates. This is a comprehensive plan which provides generous cash benefits for surgery and other charges

Who are HMCA? - HMCA has specialised in providing benefits and services to associations and professional groups since the 1970s. HMCA is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

For further information and quotations contact HMCA by telephone on 01423 799949 or visit the exclusive HMCA Craft Guild of Chefs website here: https://www.hmca.co.uk/cgoc