Bringing 5-star restaurant service to a wholesale business with City Larder’s Robbie Bell | #462

City Larder’s Robbie Bell has worked in some pretty famous kitchens around the world. Now he’s started his own business as a Charkuhturer. You know what that is, right?! And he treats his wholesales as if they were guests in a 5-star restaurant.

A little bit more about City Larder’s Robbie Bell …

After completing his apprenticeship as a young chef in England, Robbie Bell spent the first years of his career working for a Michelin-starred chef, and has gone on to hone his skills at some pretty fancy establishments around the world.

Then in 2015, seeing a gap in the market for high-end shar-ku-tuh-ree and wanting to put his core skills to good use, Robbie and his wife started the City Larder which now supplies over 180 stockists across Australia with high-end pates and terrines.

Robbie also hosts his own podcast – Cooking the Books – which is in its third season.

You’ll love Robbie. He’s larger than life and has some solid views on how to build a business you love, and even stronger views on buying local (something I’m particularly passionate about).

Here’s what caught my attention from my chat with City Larder’s Robbie Bell:

1. I love the fact that he works for his staff, even to the point that he’s helping one of his young blokes start his own business.
   What are you doing for your staff?
2. I love the fact that he’s bringing a 5-star restaurant mentality to a wholesale business.
3. And I love his view that we should be more interested in supporting our local community than in the next pair of expensive shoes we buy.

Robbie Bell Interview Transcription

Tim

Robbie Bell. Welcome to the small business show.

Robbie

Thanks for having me.

Tim

Mate, you’ve worked in some pretty serious and well-known kitchens around the world what have you learned about pressure from cooking in some of the world’s best kitchens?

Click Here To Download Full Transcription

Resources mentioned:

• City Larder’s official website
• Robbie Bell’s podcast – Cooking the Books
• Last week’s interview with Cham Tang on how to optimise your Facebook advertising
• Interviews I’ve done with other great foodies:
  • Daniel Wilson from Huxtaburger
  • Jamie Cook from Stone & Wood
  • Declan Lee from Gelato Messina

This week’s winner of the Monster Prize Draw is:

• Trish Ridge of The Chartist

“Be more interested in your community and not in buying a new pair of shoes!”
– Robbie Bell,
City Larder

I interviewed a bloke who owns a charcuterie last week. I think that makes him a charcuterer? How fancy pants is that?! Take a listen at the link below … or subscribe to The Small Business Big Marketing Show via your favourite podcast app.https://t.co/3sQv1WQDaJ

— Timbo ?? (@TimboReid) May 27, 2019

Please support the following businesses who make this show possible:

Authentic Education

Learn highly effective marketing strategies directly from the co-founder of a BRW Fast 100 Company at events that are happening around Australia in June and July 2019.

American Express Business Explorer Credit Card

Let your business expenses reward you. Every year.

Yellow

Partner with Australia’s #1 online business directory for all your digital marketing needs.

Switchnode

Australia’s Internet isn’t great. That’s why Switchnode exist. The solution is here and it’s wireless.

If something in this episode of Australia’s favourite marketing podcast peaked your interest, then let me know by leaving a comment below.

May your marketing be the best marketing.