Frequently Asked Questions | Butchery | IMS of Smithfield
Where is IMS of Smithfield based?
IMS of Smithfield was initially based in London’s famous Smithfield Market, overlooking Bartholomew’s square. As our butchery client list began to grow, we had to move premises to accommodate our growing size. You will now find IMS of Smithfield based at Kings Cross, London, where we have been since 1988. In 2000, we modernised our premises by expanding from 7500 square feet to 15,200.
Where does your meat come from?
IMS of Smithfield has always had the same vision. To supply only the best quality meats to our clients, whether you are domestic or commercial. For this reason, IMS of Smithfield has been establishing and strengthening our relationships with many of Britain’s finest farmers. Where possible, our meat is always locally sourced in Britain. By adopting this mindset, we can ensure you only purchase the freshest meat that has travelled minimal distances from farm to home.
How long have you been in the butchery business?
IMS of Smithfield first opened its doors in 1970. Our founder, Roberto, wanted to create a butchery company that would be a meat market leader. Since our humble beginnings, we have grown to support some of the biggest names in the catering industry, our domestic clients and niche hotels and restaurants. Our business has been built on quality, trust, reliability and service.
Do you supply to wholesale clients?
Our simple answer to this question is absolutely! Our first-class premises and the team can support each client, whether you are running a household or a multi-venue catering business. We cater to various diets and requirements, so if you are a business looking for a trusted meat supplier, contact us, and we will do our best to help.
Can I buy IMS of Smithfield meat online?
You can either buy online or wander into our shop to browse the meats we have for sale. Ordering online couldn’t be easier with IMS of Smithfield, and our delivery services are efficient, perfect if you have a big event at the weekend and need some beautiful meats to offer.
Can you help with butchery product development?
Not only are we leading butchers in London, but we also enjoy nothing more than working with our clients to test and develop new tastes. Clients want to work with their suppliers to add exciting products to their portfolio, and IMS of Smithfield is proud to deliver. From waste reduction to nose-to-tail butchery, we aim to help you offer something unique to your clientele. Our onsite development days are open to your team of chefs who can work closely with our development team, where they will create, test and sample various meats that haven’t been looked at in the past.
Who do you supply meat to?
We supply our high-quality meat to everyone. From private households, significant events, catering teams, restaurants, hotels, schools, prisons and airlines, IMS of Smithfield supplies meat to anyone who needs it!
Do you do any special offers or promotions?
Our offers are constantly updated in our store, so keep an eye out whenever you are passing to see what we have available. Our meat hampers, in particular, are very popular and are perfect for big family gatherings, including Christmas and Easter. Our BBQ hampers will keep your party going for as long as necessary.
Who are you accredited with?
We are accredited with various standards and agencies to keep providing our clients with consistently high meat standards.
BRC 7 Certified – Food industry experts develop the BRC Global Standard for food safety. Their framework supports the management of safety, integrity, quality and operational controls across products, ingredients, manufacturing, processing and packaging. IMS of Smithfield has consistently achieved a BRC 7 Grade A rating, demonstrating our commitment to the highest levels of food hygiene, practices and product integrity.
STS – STS work as development partners for e-learning with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and are preferred suppliers of the British Hospitality Association.
Halal Consolations – HCL was established in April 2013 to Serve the Muslim Ummah for consultation and counsel in conformity with Islamic shari’ah rules on all aspects of “Halal” that matter in a Muslim’s daily life. HCL is one of the UK’s most recognised HALAL accreditation bodies, and its name and reputation are renowned within Islamic councils worldwide.
Red Tractor Food Standards – Red Tractor was established in 2000 and has grown to become the UK’s leading farm and quality food assurance scheme. The food industry launched Red Tractor to promote more transparent labelling and ensure food originates from a trustworthy source. The Red Tractor logo guarantees our customers that the food we sell has been produced to a high standard through all stages of production, processing and packing.
Soil Association – The Soil Association are the UK’s leading membership charity campaigning for healthy, humane, organic and sustainable food. Organic standards put animal welfare first. As well as requiring that animals are genuinely free range; organic standards cover living conditions, food quality, the use of antibiotics and hormones, as well as transport and slaughter.
FORS – The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) is a voluntary accreditation scheme encompassing all aspects of safety, fuel efficiency, vehicle emissions and improved operations. FORS has assisted IMS of Smithfield fleet operators to measure and monitor performance and alter our processes to demonstrate best working practices.
We also work with several other affiliated partners, including:
• AHDB Beef & Lamb – EBLEX
• AHDB Pork – PBEX
• National Association of Catering Butchers – NACB
• Build trust in your brand
• Protect Your Business reputation from Fraud
• Set the Benchmark for Supply Chain Integrity
Do you offer butchery Academy courses?
Yes, our acclaimed butchery academy has been synonymous with the training and development of UK chefs over the last ten years. Our workshops are tailored, so whether you are looking for entry-level butchery, knife skills or product development, we have the perfect course.