George Bennell and Adam Wells started Belazu in 2000...

with the belief that everyone should be able to buy the same quality ingredients that the best restaurants use every day.

George's background as a chef and the fact his mum lived in the south of France soon led him to realise that the quality of ingredients available on the continent was infinitely better to what could be bought in the majority of UK supermarkets.

Much of how the business started depended on George's insider knowledge of an area and its best foodie haunts.

"I was inspired by a Berber breakfast dish eaten in a café in Morocco to seek out the local Argan oil from the nearby market which supplied the café!".

Gradually George and Adam began to bring a wide range of foods and ingredients typically found on French market stalls, to British delis and supermarkets throughout the country.

They share a passion for finding and supplying the very best products for British chefs and consumers.

"We like to think of Belazu as working in partnership with small, local suppliers to bring the best of Mediterranean food culture to UK food lovers," says George. "We want to help people evolve their ideas, bringing them new, exciting products. It's all about making a difference to cooking at home, in an easy, accessible way."