Vincent Tsang developed his Sweet Chilli and Sweet and Sour sauces aimed at the growing market for healthy alternatives to favourite foods. 

Now with the support of Innovation Factory in Belfast, he plans to grow sales throughout the UK and Ireland as well as internationally online. As a member of IF, he is receiving continuous business support and mentoring from Innovation Manager Stephen Ellis. 

“I developed this sauce because I’m very health conscious and am so passionate about what I eat. The advice and support that I’m receiving is helping me take the business to the next level,” Vincent said. 

The 35-year-old Lisburn man explained that he was inspired to create the sauce by the healthy food that his parents made at home.  

“When I was growing up, I had terrible eczema and saw many doctors here and in Hong Kong where my parents are from but the treatments only worked for a short period of time. What seemed to help me was home cooked food made with natural ingredients,” he said.  

Vincent, who has a background in banking and finance, had always dreamed of running his own business and during lockdown he created his healthy Sweet and Sour and Sweet Chilli sauce recipes based on popular dishes from his parents’ Chinese restaurant in Moira. 

He participated in Belfast City Council’s Kickstart Programme, which led to his introduction to mentor Stephen Ellis. With Stephen’s help, he successfully applied for an Innovation Voucher from Invest NI to help develop his business idea and worked with CAFRE at Greenmount to ensure the sauces met all the food safety guidelines and had a shelf life of 18 months.  

Tsang Sauce is now stocked in a number of independent food stores in Northern Ireland while Vincent continues to develop his sales strategy. 

“The support that I’ve had has been essential to my business. Innovation Factory has a great mix of businesses that have offered opportunities for collaboration and access to services like marketing, accountancy, Research and Development and tax incentives,” he said.  

 “I can come to Stephen when I need something to progress the business and he will point me in the right direction. I love the energy at Innovation Factory, it is full of companies that are constantly coming up with new ideas. It is the perfect place for me to develop my business,” he added. 

Innovation Manager Stephen Ellis said he was sure that Vincent’s innovative new products will prove to be a big success for the public looking for healthy versions of their favourite meals. 

“Vincent’s story is a great example of the many fantastic business ideas coming out of Northern Ireland. It is so rewarding for us at Innovation Factory to play a role in supporting such exciting projects and encouraging collaboration amongst a community of new entrepreneurs,” he added. 

As well as being a new business owner, Vincent is also a part-time actor, who played Jackie Chan’s body double during driving scenes in his film The Foreigner set in Northern Ireland. 

He added: “I was a similar height to him and although the film was mainly shot in London, they did some driving scenes in Belfast City Centre, Larne Harbour and Tollymore Forest Park. In one scene in Tollymore I had to make a sharp turn without hitting the brakes and managed to do it. The director said we had one chance before the light faded. It was quite a bit of pressure, a bit like starting your own business!” 

His website, www.tsangsauce.com, provides healthy recipes using his sauces.  

Caption:  Vincent Tsang, who has created two healthy, vegan friendly and gluten-free Chinese bottled sauces with the support of Stephen Ellis, Innovation Manager at Innovation Factory in West Belfast.

The post NI entrepreneur serves up healthy Chinese sauces  first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Launching the ground-breaking programme for a fifth consecutive year, Lidl Northern Ireland also confirmed that it has signed an annual supply deal worth £340,000 with Holywood, County Down-based spicy meat maker Hellbent to supply its succulent Chakalaka Boerewors to all Lidl stores within the island of Ireland on a permanent basis and for a limited summer promotion in UK stores.

The brainchild of South African-born Ulster Rugby aces Louis Ludik and Schalk Van der Merwe, Hellbent secured a coveted place on Lidl Northern Ireland’s Kick Start programme only last year.

Proving a big hit with shoppers at Northern Ireland’s fastest-growing supermarket retailer, Hellbent has grown exponentially since then and this latest deal with Lidl Northern Ireland will help propel its success even further.

Hellbent’s eye-catching products combine a delicious fusion of South African flavours quality Irish meat produce, creating a new taste sensation that pays homage to both countries and cultures.

Featuring a tasty line-up of beef and pork products, Hellbent benefited from a range of in-store promotions across 215 Lidl stores across the island of Ireland as part of last year’s Kick Start programme, proudly showcasing its Original and Chakalaka Boerewors spiced using traditional farmhouse seasoning, Hellbent Burgers, Black & White Pudding as well as seasonal festive Cranberry & Feta Sausages.

Speaking about the launch of the new 2022 Kick Start programme, Hellbent’s Louis Ludik said: “The Lidl Northern Ireland Kick Start programme has been an incredible boost for our business.

“It’s a great way for any small business to get a taste of what it takes to supply a major retailer. The programme supported us at every level – from help to upscale production and meet larger orders, to marketing and business management support and of course enabling us to reach more customers than ever with our products.

“Our full range of products were made available on limited promotion across all 215 Lidl stores within the island of Ireland which really opened up our customer base and allowed us to grow our brand into new markets. It was a very proud moment for us to go into our local Lidl Northern Ireland store and see our products rubbing shoulders with some of the bigger brand names and amazing local suppliers.

“It’s incredible to think that just 12 months later, we’ve now secured a permanent listing with our Chakalaka Boerewors – one of our most popular products. It’s an exciting time for us and we’re ‘hellbent’ on growing our business with Lidl Northern Ireland.

“I would encourage any local producers in the region to apply for the Kick Start programme. Whether you need help growing your business, or if you need support in breaking into the supermarket category, or simply want to boost your export potential, Lidl Northern Ireland’s Kick Start programme has it all.”

The Lidl Northern Ireland Kick Start programme is designed to help small and medium-sized local food and drink producers grow their brand, build their supply network and reach new customer audiences, upping their potential to open up new export opportunities.

As well as the limited edition in-store promotion, Kick Start also provides ambitious producers with free business development seminars delivered by a panel of Lidl and wider industry experts, covering key disciplines such as quality control, supply chain management, branding and distribution.

Since its launch in 2017, the programme has grown exponentially and is now delivered in partnership with the Northern Ireland Food & Drink Association (NIFDA), providing a significant boost to the programme and additional benefits and opportunities for selected suppliers.

More than 50 Northern Irish artisan products and dozens of local businesses have been led to success through the Kick Start Supplier Development Programme including Copeland Gin in Donaghadee, Refuge Hot Chocolate brewed in Belfast and Noisy Snacks from Newtownards to name just a few.

Chris Bell, Buying Director at Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland, said: “At Lidl Northern Ireland we are committed to supporting local suppliers and one of the ways in which we do that is through our innovative Kick Start programme which champions the local agri-food sector.

“I’m thrilled to announce a new, permanent listing with Hellbent and to welcome them to our supplier network which has now grown to more than 50 local producers, reflecting the abundance of quality produce which is grown, harvested and crafted here in Northern Ireland.

“Hellbent were fantastic to work with last year as part of the Kick Start programme and the new deal announced today represents exactly what the Kick Start initiative is all about – growing small and medium-sized producers to realise their full potential. As we launch the 2022 programme, I’m excited to see what this year’s intake yields.

“Applications are now open for local producers to secure a place on this year’s scheme by visiting lidl-ni.co.uk/kickstart.”

The Lidl Kick Start Supplier Development Programme is just one of the many ways in which the retailer supports local suppliers.

Last year, Lidl Northern Ireland struck a deal worth £500,000 annually with County Antrim coffee roasters SlumberJack Coffee to supply their Italian Espresso whole bean and ground coffee across all stores within the island of Ireland. Other supplier deals signed in 2021 include an expanded contract worth £2.7 million with Irwin’s Bakery and a significant £24 million deal with Fermanagh-based bakery, Crust & Crumb, for an expanded pizza line.

Hellbent’s Chakalaka Boerewors are available in all Lidl stores across the island of Ireland from 6 April 2022, priced at £3.99.

For more information on the Kick Start Supplier Development Programme, visit lidl-ni.co.uk/kickstart.

The post Lidl Northern Ireland secures sizzling new £340,000 annual supply deal with Hellbent first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.