A taste of China

by Vicki Allen and Susan Logie

The company, which manufactures Chinese delicacies such as seaweed and crispy duck, has just won a prestigious award, the ISO 9002, which is an international commendation given to companies for good practice in every aspect of food production.

Managing Director David Lam said the award is a tremendous achievement for such a young company, but was not unexpected since the production process is very technologically advanced and the company is continually striving to improve.

Mrs Lam’s Delicious Food Company employs 25 people at the moment but with business expanding it is hoped over 45 people will eventually find work at the firm. David Lam believes Netherton has been a great place to situate the factory and the area has provided an excellent and loyal workforce.

After washing our hands and putting on plastic clothing for hygiene purposes, we were given a guided tour of the factory by Production Plant Manager Bill Gilchrist.

The food known as Crispy Seaweed is not real seaweed, it is cabbage. The cabbage is washed and shredded, then fried in rape seed oil at a temperature of about 230 degrees C. (see picture) The oil is then drained from the cabbage by heating and spinning, then the food is seasoned using a special secret recipe.

With the Crispy Duck, the company buys the duck a case at a time. It is cooked in a mixture of liquor and spices for at least two hours before being chilled and put into packets along with pancakes, cucumber, shredded leek and another delicious sauce.

Every process in the factory is checked and tested throughout the day. Packaging and labelling is done by hand and the products are sold in most supermarket chains, such as Asda and Safeway.

David Lam is very pleased with the success of his exciting new company so far, though his ambition is to travel around the world with a rucksack on his back!

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