In this exclusive video interview, filmed at last year’s Venice-themed gala dinner event, Freshasia Foods director Jian Lan said the nomination reassured him that Chinese flavours were one of everyone’s favourites. Freshasia was a finalist in the Dairy and frozen manufacturing company category at the awards in November 2016.
Lan said: “[Being a finalist] gives me a lot of confidence, [as it shows] the flavours have no boundary. The flavour is universal.
‘A lot of confidence’
“We are doing purely authentic Chinese food, and I think that’s the trend. [We were] nominated because it will be accepted that Chinese flavours are definitely one of everyone’s favourite. That’s what it means, so it gives me a lot of confidence.”
Lan expressed his delight at becoming the first Chinese food manufacturer to be a finalist in the history of the FMEAs. The manufacturer was pipped to the Dairy and frozen manufacturing company of the year trophy by ice cream firm Froneri.
Also in this video, Lan said Freshasia had benefitted from the weak pound, following June’s Brexit vote.
‘Price advantages’
Lan said: “Export markets are going great, because the exchange rate is going down. So, we have price advantages in exporting to European countries.”
Meanwhile, the closing date for entries in this year’s FMEAs is Monday July 17. The winners will be revealed at a stellar awards evening at the Hilton, Park Lane in London, on November 1.
To find out more about entering the awards, visit the FMEAs website.
Food Manufacture Excellence Awards: Which categories will you enter?
Manufacturing company of the year category
- Ambient
- Bakery
- Beverages
- Chilled foods
- Dairy
- Fresh produce
- Frozen foods
- Meat, poultry and seafood
From the winners of the individual category awards, one company will be selected by our judging panel to be crowned Food Manufacture Company of the Year
A series of other awards will be presented and these are open to those companies that have entered the main category awards.
Other FMEA awards
- Best new use of food ingredients
- Environmental initiative of the year
- Supply chain initiative of the year
- Training programme of the year
- Judges’ star performer: presented to a company selected from all entries, which the judges believe deserves recognition for one particular area of its activities
- SME innovation of the year award: presented to the best small company whose turnover is less than £10M and employs fewer than 100 staff
FMEAs for individuals
The Me and My Factory – editor’s choice award recognises the company from those featured under this regular and popular section within the pages of Food Manufacture over the previous year that our editorial team considers stands out from all the rest.
Young talent of the year award will be made to the individual aged 25 years or under who the judges assess to be the most promising new apprentice or graduate in food and drink manufacture.
The closing date for receipt of entries is Monday July 17. The winners will be revealed at a funpacked awards evening at the Hilton Park Lane in London on November 1.
The awards are free to enter and the winners are selected by an independent panel of leading experts from the sector.