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Rowcliffe awarded Butchers Q Guild membership

UK cheese and chilled food specialist, Anthony Rowcliffe & Son, has been awarded membership of the national Butchers Q Guild.

The company, based in Tonbridge, Kent, is now well placed to take advantage of new trading and networking opportunities with the Q Guild’s 120 members nationwide, all leading independent, award-winning butchers.

Anthony Rowcliffe & Son is also a leader in its own field and since being established in 1967 has grown to become Britain's foremost distributor of award winning cheeses to the specialist independent trade.

The company’s success can be put down to the inspiration and passion of its founder, Anthony Rowcliffe, who pioneered a change in British attitudes to cheese. He began importing speciality cheeses and sourcing from local farmhouse producers. He was the first to introduce many of the European cheeses into the UK.

Still renowned for its unrivalled selection of quality cheeses, Rowcliffe’s product range now includes award-winning olives, hand chosen charcuterie, farmhouse butters, seafood, oils and vinegars. It also specialises in chilled delicatessen products.

Current chairman Tim Rowcliffe, son of the founder, is a leading industry figure, serving on the committee and being a former chairman of the Specialist Cheese Makers Association (SCA), founding corporate member of the Guild of Fine Food Retailers, current committee member of PTF and judge and founding member of the British Cheese Awards.

The company’s expertise in selling British and continental cheese has also secured prestigious invitations to be represented on judging panels for, amongst others, the British Cheese Awards (BCA), World Cheese Awards (WCA), Great Yorkshire Show, Global Cheese Awards, along with the annual high profile Concours Général cheese judging competition in France.

The team are strategically involved with SALSA (Safe and Local Supplier Approval), BRC (British Retail Consortium) and Organic certifications, as well as directly influencing Government bodies to promote the interests of small producers and retailers. 

Tim Rowcliffe said: “As a fine food company that champions small producers, we wanted to join the Q Guild, as we see it as part of our circle of friends! Very much like the members, we are also passionate and determined to make quality food products available to the British public. Working in partnership with like-minded people, we want to raise the bar across the industry and keep the hand-crafted food traditions alive.

“Joining a network of fine food distributors and meat connoisseurs, we have privileged access to expert knowledge and industry news. We can also share our experience and best practice with fellow members, which we hope benefits them. For us, it makes a lot of sense to join the Q Guild, as our visions are very much aligned.”

Q Guild manager Gordon Newlands said: “Anthony Rowcliffe & Son are recognised leaders in their industry sector and have long demonstrated an ethos based on quality and customer service, which dovetail perfectly with those of the Q Guild. Most of our members now run their own in-house delicatessens, so Rowcliffe are a valuable addition to the Q Guild fold and we warmly welcome them on board.”