Today, Suffolk MP, Dr Dan Poulter was delighted to formally open a brand new Delicatessen at popular village pub, the Grundisburgh Dog.
During the height of the Covid-19 lock-down, owners, Eilir and Charles, set up a pop-up stall outside the Grundisburgh Dog selling mainly fresh fruit and vegetables to the local community. This proved to be incredibly popular as residents did not have to venture outside the village to source fresh food produce. It didn't take long for the service to grow in popularity and very soon, there was an established customer base.
Once lock-down began to ease, people were more willing to travel further afield to larger supermarkets, but it had become apparent that there was an appetite for more specialised produce, particularly the more unusual British and Continental dairy products and charcuterie, with a distinct accent on Italian lifestyle products and artisanal products from East Anglia. These products require refrigeration and a more permanent display area, so Eilir and Charles decided to convert part of the pub restaurant to a retail delicatessen running in parallel with the pub, which itself reopened for business on 4th July.
The pub chefs cook savoury (and sweet!) items, such as sausage rolls and vegetarian scotch eggs, daily for the deli. The Deli also supply picnic and gift hampers to mark special occasions.
Speaking about the event, Dr Dan Poulter said “I was delighted to be invited by the Grundisburgh Dog to formally open their new deli. A long-standing supporter of Eilir and Charles, I previously nominated their Chef, Milan Hukal for the Parliamentary Pub Chef of the Year. Milan went on to win the nationwide competition and I know that this is an accolade which they are all still very proud of.”
“The deli marks an exciting new chapter in this village pub’s successful journey; it shows how businesses can adapt and thrive, despite the challenges thrown up by the coronavirus pandemic, and I know that residents in Grundisburgh are already hugely supportive of this new venture. Being able to shop locally and source top quality, local ingredients is vital in our rural Suffolk villages and I’d like to wish Eilir and Charles every success with this new venture.”