We conducted an inspiring interview with Dimitris Paraskevopoulos, the CEO of Gourmante, where he shared his story of how he got into the HoReCa sector and what his biggest lesson has been the past 10 years. We talked about how to keep up with trends in the HoReCa sector, what is Gourmante's number one product on the Estonian market, and how often and based on which motives they update their assortment.

How did you get into the HoReCa business and what is your story?

I have been in the food business since 1993, focusing on Mediterranean products from Greece, Italy and Spain. In 2008, we entered the Baltic market, including Estonia, because I noticed that there were very few high-quality Mediterranean products at that time, especially in the retail business. Initially, we focused on the retail market, but after the successful start of cooperation with Sanitex in 2020, we decided to enter the HoReCa sector more seriously. For the last two or three years, we have devoted a lot of energy to the development of the HoReCa business, especially in cooperation with Sanitex, which allows us to reach the right target group.

What has been your biggest lesson in the past 10 years?

In the food business, in the retail or HoReCa sector, you cannot stand still. You always have to update, expand the assortment and look for new product categories. The last four years have brought two big lessons: the pandemic and the sharp rise in prices, especially in the olive oil and olive categories. From these situations, we learned the importance of diversification and innovation, which has helped us stay in the market and grow.

What success stories can you draw from your career?

One of my biggest success stories is gaining fame and recognition for the Gourmante brand, especially in the retail industry. It didn't come overnight, but the result of years of work and dedication. We have consistently offered high-quality and authentic Mediterranean products that have become a trusted choice for many families. For example, our basil pesto is very popular in Estonia.

Although the brand name is not as important in the HoReCa sector, because the consumer does not see the brand directly, we have been able to create a strong foundation there as well. Our strategy is to offer both our own brand products and products from carefully selected suppliers under their own brands, focusing on quality and authenticity. Thanks to our partnership with Sanitex, we have expanded into restaurants and hotels, offering them stable quality and special products to enrich their menus. As the latest innovation in product development, we have introduced frozen prebaked pizza bases to the market, which have already received a very positive response.

What are the most popular Gourmante products in Estonia and how have you achieved their popularity?

In Estonia, our most popular product is the traditional Italian basil pesto, which is popular both in the retail trade and in the HoReCa sector. Capers and olives are also well represented. The key to the success of these products has been consistent quality and availability. In addition, we have invested heavily in marketing and support activities, such as organizing master classes at Gastro Studios and introducing products directly to professionals. Next events will take place at Gastro Studio as follows: in Tallinn on September 30th, Riga on October 2nd and Vilnius on October 3rd, where we will present several new products like antipasti, pasta & desserts, while a chef from Italy will cook authentic Italian pizzas with our pizza-bases.

How do you keep up with trends and how often do you update your product range?

Keeping up with trends is crucial. We visit international food fairs, do constant online research and actively communicate with our suppliers to get new ideas and find new product categories. Updating the product range is a continuous process, during which we work on new products throughout the year, but about 15-20 new SKUs of them enter the market per year. The process is time-consuming, but necessary in order to stay competitive and always offer the best to consumers and HoReCa customers.

Gourmante has shown that commitment to quality, innovation and adaptability are the keys to success in the food industry. Gourmante's approach, which combines an authentic Mediterranean taste with continuous product development, has secured them a place in both the retail and HoReCa sectors. In the future, the company sees its own growth potential in the HoReCa sector, offering restaurants and cafes high-quality and authentic products that help them offer their customers the best taste experiences. The Gourmante brand is committed to bringing high-quality Mediterranean ingredients to the market. The Mediterranean diet is one of the most beneficial, and Gourmante's mission helps the company to keep on track on which new products to launch.

See the entire Gourmante assortment, as well as the supplier brands exclusively represented by Gourmante for Baltic markets, on our website: https://epromo.ee/en/search?term=gourmante 

https://epromo.ee/en/search?term=ELITA 

3 SKU’s of pre-baked frozen pizza-bases:

https://epromo.ee/en/search?term=PREBAKED%20 

https://epromo.ee/en/frozen-products/ready-meals/pizza/precooked-pizza-romana/pala-5x600g 

https://epromo.ee/en/search?term=minioliva