A Perthshire food company is flying high after securing a deal to supply its chocolate treats to airline giant BA.
Grandtully-based Highland Chocolatier has been forced to increase its workforce and treble production of its award-winning sweets as a result of a new partnership with Gate Gourmet.
The firm’s velvet truffles and spiced pralines will now be served to well heeled passengers travelling first class on BA flights from December 1.
The move follows on from Highland Chocolatier’s success at the Scotland Food and Drink Awards where the sweets were named as product of the year.
The pralines and truffles will be offered as part of a high-end menu package which features a host of other delicacies including Scottish salmon.
British Airways menu designer Mark Tazzioli said he was delighted to add Highland Chocolatier to BA’s supplier list.
He said: “The quality of their products is first class, exactly what our customers flying in First expect, and in keeping with the exceptional standards for which our in-flight service is renowned.”
Janice Kennedy, managing director at Iain Burnett Highland Chocolatier, said the new contract was a major coup and would help expand the company’s reputation around the globe.
“Our goal was to create more brand awareness, reach out to customers who appreciate the very best in British produce and tempt them with something truly unique,” she said.
“We felt there was no better platform to launch global awareness than the First clients of British Airways and, with many of them hopefully visiting Scotland for the Homecoming year of the Ryder Cup, we think the timing is good.
“We have doubled our chocolatier team and trebled our production capacity to meet the increased demands, without in any way changing the artisan techniques.
“This is a major achievement for our whole team and a solid base for the business to flourish.”
In the past year, the company has opened its first satellite outlet at Aberdeen’s Bon Accord Centre and is now preparing to open a second store in St Andrews.