The venture is the result of the joint collaboration between the British Embassy and the supermarket chain, and offers visitors the opportunity to taste some of the most iconic products of the British gastronomy and to celebrate British flavours in the Algarve.
A wide variety of British favourites were on offer at the launch on Sunday, with guests given the chance to sample some of them.
Ms Hayes was joined at the opening in Almancil on Sunday afternoon by João Sebastião, Trade & Investment Director for Portugal.
In her opening remarks, the British Ambassador commented that the British were as much mocked for their peculiar food names as for the quality of their cuisine; but argued that British gastronomy was far more than just fish and chips.
In recent years, food in Britain had improved immeasurably and new trends were appearing, showing that the UK was becoming more and more home to an innovative, modern and cutting edge cuisine.
She mentioned that food and drink was the largest manufacturing sector in the UK, with a turnover of £95.4 billion and 400,000 people employed; and that the UK had an excellent reputation for food and drink and the ‘Britishness’ of UK products was a major selling point.
The Ambassador concluded by saying she hoped that both the new brands and the ones that were already well known in Portugal could contribute not only to a greater access to British food and drink products, but also to raise consumers’ awareness of the excellence of the British offer.
The campaign extends to Pingo Doce Almancil, Alvor and Lagos.
Speaking to The Portugal News at the Almancil store on Sunday evening, Jerónimo Martins Group CFO Javier Van Engelen said it was his store’s aim to offer these new products at competitive rates. He added that that the duration of the campaign and the items stocked will depend on public demand.
Once the guests had left, Mr Van Engelen grabbed a basket to do some shopping: “I don’t often get to see some of these products in Lisbon.”
‘Food is Great Britain’ campaign launched in the Algarve
in Algarve · 12 Nov 2015, 14:21 · 5 Comments
Shame we have not arrive in the Algarve for the British food promotion, but I hope Pingo Doce will have the King of cheeses - Stilton for Christmas.
By David from Other on 16 Nov 2015, 18:40
We shall soon be settling in the Algarve, and hope Pingo Doce will stock the range of QUORN vegetarian foods
http://www.quorn.co.uk
By Maria from Other on 16 Nov 2015, 18:50
Oh dear! Just as the world of health and nutrition is heralding the Mediterranean diet and a warming planet is looking to cut down on food miles, what do we see? Importing food from a gastronomically bankrupt country like Great Britain? And I'm a Brit.
By John Pearce from Beiras on 17 Nov 2015, 07:52
As well as a good selection of Cheese how about some good sausages and thick cut bacon as well as some pork pies and black pudding. I will return in December with my suitcase as usual full of goodies as well as P.G.
I do wish Pingo Doce well and hope that this is not just a flash in the pan promotion. I shall check out Lagos just as soon as I can.
By Philip Morris from UK on 17 Nov 2015, 21:50
Pingo Doce are currently not stocking Linda Macartney and Quorn but Iceland in Guia Alburfeira are great they stock it .
Well done Iceland your so up to date!!! They also stock lots of british brands too.I live in Vilamoura which is about 25 mins away i always take a ice bag with me its stays frozen for about one hour even in scorching temps.
By claire simpson from UK on 14 Jun 2016, 11:38