UK artisan vegan cheesemaker JULIENNE BRUNO is celebrating two significant wins for its Superstraccia®product, a soy and coconut-based fermented cheese, crafted for pizzas and salads.
The Superstraccia — which last year was added to menus at pizza chain Pizza Pilgrims — has received the gold award in the Cheese Alternatives category at the 2024 Free From Food Awards which took place in mid-June, and just last week the cheese also struck gold at the World Dairy Innovation Awards in the Dairy Alternative category.
The brand’s current Collection 01 stands out for catering to consumers with allergies; the range is dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free, and coeliac-friendly, making it suitable for over 2 million Brits who suffer from food intolerances.
Free From Food Awards comments, “JULIENNE BRUNO’s Superstraccia® offers a rich and creamy texture, perfect for special occasions or a sophisticated addition to any cheese board. Its neutral flavour profile allows it to pair wonderfully with various condiments. Ideal for those seeking a high-quality milk-free cheese alternative.”
Axel Katalan, founder and CEO of JULIENNE BRUNO, adds, “This achievement is a testament to our unwavering commitment to crafting the finest dairy-free cheeses, and we’re immensely proud of our entire team for their dedication and passion. As we enter the warmer months, we hope to see our Superstraccia on creative, fresh, flavourful dishes all across the nation.”
Increasing presence in retail & hospitality
This week JULIENNE BRUNO also launches its Burrella® and Superstraccia® on delivery service Ocado Zoom, adding to its increasing footprint throughout retail, e-commerce, and food establishments across the UK.
Shauna Clark Fitzpatrick, Ocado Buyer commented, “I am thrilled that our customers can now purchase JULIENNE BRUNO’s plant-based cheeses and have them delivered to their door within 60 minutes through Zoom by Ocado. I love their award-winning cheeses – and so will our customers, who can now get their hands on them faster than ever!”
According to the founders, following the recent expansions, the range is now available in over 1,200 locations, with retail stores accounting for over 400 locations, in addition to more than 800 restaurants, pubs and cafes. Notably, of these locations, less than 5% of locations are vegan only, demonstrating the brand’s mission to make plant-based the most exciting choice for food lovers, regardless of their dietary preference.
Impressive list of prestigious locations
Food outlets offering these artisan cheeses include the likes of: Gaucho; Marston’s; Greene King; Soho House; The Wolseley; Gordon Ramsay; Mildred’s; Big Mamma, Neat; Claridges Hotel, It’s Bagels, and hundreds more. Furthermore, JULIENNE BRUNO reveals it is now available in six Michelin-star restaurants. Lovers of fine dining can experience their ingredients at: Woven – Cowarth Park; Latymer – Penny Hill Park; Luca; Club Gascon; Gauthier Soho; and Pied A Terre.
JULIENNE BRUNO has amassed over 430 reviews, with an average rating of 4./85. Renowned chef Philip Khoury, Head Pastry Chef at Harrods commented, “The products are a rare stroke of gastronomic ingenuity. Authentic and original. A gastronomic delight.” While, James Elliot, founder of Pizza Pilgrims comments, “Hands down the best plant-based cheese we’ve tasted. Absolutely delicious”.
Axel Katalan enthuses, ”We are delighted to continue building our relationship with Ocado and now offer their customers speedy same-day delivery of our products. Our mission is to inspire food lovers and home cooks to cook without limits and what better way to feed that inspiration than with easy access to receive our products on demand with delivery in under an hour.”
Expansion to continue with upcoming Collection 02
JULIENNE BRUNO has thus far delivered a YTD sales increase of 75% compared to 2023, driven by increasing presence in menus across restaurants and hospitality, alongside growing volumes through retail such as Whole Foods Market, Planet Organic, Harrods, and Coop Switzerland.
2024 total year projected growth is 167%, according to the brand, adding that with Collection 02 in the pipeline and additional partnerships to be announced, 2024 will be another significant year for the growth of JULIENNE BRUNO.
Axel Katalan concludes: “We’ve seen something magical happen when chefs and creators from diverse backgrounds get hold of our products and create truly inspiring recipes that make one think, “Oh, I never tried that before!”
“We hope these delightful additions inspire more people to get creative in the kitchen, try new recipes, and of course eat with pleasure.”
Further information at https://www.juliennebruno.com/
