Sales Manager Mark Halliwell swapped Scotland for the Italian sunshine recently, joining the Big Al’s team from Kepak at a very special celebration of food, family and shared heritage in Villa Latina.
Held on 7 August in the heart of Italy’s Valle di Comino, the annual Fish & Chips festival celebrates the remarkable bond that has connected this part of Italy with Scotland for more than a century.
Generations ago, many families left towns and villages across the Valle di Comino, in Italy’s province of Frosinone, to build new lives in Scotland. Through hard work, enterprise and a passion for good food, many went on to establish the cafés, takeaways and fish and chip shops that became an important part of Scottish communities. Today, these families remain at the heart of Scotland’s fish and chip industry – and many are longstanding and highly valued Henry Colbeck customers.
The festival brings that shared story full circle. For one evening, Villa Latina was filled with Scottish music, bagpipes, dancing and, of course, plenty of freshly cooked fish and chips. Local families were joined by members of the Scottish-Italian community who had travelled back to celebrate the lasting connection between their two homes.
Mark attended alongside the Big Al’s team from Kepak, with support from Duncrue Food Processors and Rich Sauces. Together, the suppliers helped introduce one of this year’s new dishes: the Scottish Burger, which proved a huge success with visitors. Henry Colbeck was thanked by the Mayor of Villa Latina, Luciano Persichini, and the Municipal Administration for helping to make the event possible.
Scotland’s Italian family businesses have helped shape the country’s fish and chip culture over generations. They are not simply an important part of the market we serve; they are part of the history, character and continued success of our industry.
As a business that has supported fish and chip shops, relationships like these mean a great deal to us. They are built across generations and extend well beyond products and deliveries. They are founded on trust, loyalty, shared experience and a genuine commitment to helping family businesses thrive.
A huge thank you to Mark for representing Henry Colbeck, to the Big Al’s team for getting involved along with Duncrue Food Processors and Rich Sauces, and to the people of Villa Latina for such a warm welcome.