International Gourmet Food Retailer Richard Loebenberg visits with Geeta

Richard started as a management trainee at Marks and Spencer’s (M&S). His father was MD of Woolworths, South Africa, who moved his way up from a warehouseman after arriving from Germany.

 

The families behind Marks and Spencer and Woolworths had close relationships, and in 1976 Richard was red-carpeted in from South Africa where he grew up, and was presented with incredible opportunities by the Sieffs and the Sackers.

 

The company sent him around Europe with top chefs, including Albert Roux, to visit the finest restaurants and manufacturers of gourmet foods.

 

His time at M&S gave him a thorough training in food sourcing and buying. In 1989, he set up on his own, importing pates, salamis and hams. In 1996, he suffered a viral stroke and was prevented from working for 18 months. It was this brush with serious illness that underpins the other key influence on his business ethos.

 

Richard launched the Great Food brand in 1998, manufacturing healthy vegetarian ready to eat products. The range is also gluten free, kosher and halal, as Richard wanted to make it suitable for as many people as possible.

 

http://www.greatfooduk.com/