Alternative Meats, based in Wem, secured the deal after a tasting session with the airline’s team of chefs. The initial enquiry from the Development Chef regarding their Rosé Veal resulted in the development of a special soup using Osso Bucco, or cross-cut veal shanks, exclusively for Quantas passengers.

The company, which has been in business since 2001, is headed up by two meat industry experts, Rachel Godwin and Jeanette Edgar, whose experience began in the British Ostrich industry. Alternative Meats supplies Hotels, Restaurants and Retail Outlets direct but also aims to educate and introduce the home consumer to a range of premium and exotic meats, ranging from wild boar to crocodile, through their online mail ordering system at www.alternativemeats.co.uk. The meats are sourced mainly in the UK, but the demand for more exotic meats has led them to source from overseas.

The company were singled out by Quantas because they were able to supply a British product and this was particularly important. The meat will be supplied by a farm in Cumbria from their dairy herd. The calves are 8 months old when they are processed, giving them a longer life than, say, seasonal spring lamb or chicken and resolves the problem of male calves being born into the dairy herd industry.

Joint owner, Jeanette Edgar says of the contract: “It’s a very exciting project for Rachel and I and we are now working towards our SALSA [Safe and Local Supplier Approval] accreditation as a result of supplying Quantas. This will hopefully open some very lucrative doors for us – in fact, we are currently in discussions with a very famous TV chef!”

Jeanette continues: “We are both dedicated to the British Farming Industry and, where possible, are looking to source unusual British-farmed meats for our business – including from suppliers in Shropshire.”

Quantas passengers will be able to sample the soup developed with Alternative Meats from this summer.

Anyone wishing to sample some of the unusual meats on offer can find out more information at www.alternativemeats.co.uk.