A handmade sushi company has launched a nationwide delivery service.
Nottingham-based Uramaki has been able to expand out of its local catchment area thanks to support from The Food Innovation Centre at the University of Nottingham.
The business was set up to deliver sushi during lockdown – offering more than a dozen selections, including seafood and vegan options. It also offers bespoke catering for weddings, dinner parties and corporate events.
Innovation centre food innovation technologist Jack Wallman helped the team research and source packaging that can keep the sushi fresh and looking great during transportation and delivery.
Rachel Thacker, who runs Uramaki with chef husband Paul, said: “We needed to secure the sushi so that it arrived at its destination intact and wanted to include special slots for the wasabi, ground ginger and soy bottle.
“Jack helped to work through the vision and helped to source packaging suppliers.
“The cases we decided on are more compact, so the sushi doesn’t move around during transit, with a liner inside for the accompaniments.
“This means we can now deliver nationwide, knowing that the sushi has been carefully and optimally packaged.”
The West Bridgford business was launched by Rachel and Paul after they saw a gap in the market for luxury food deliveries. The team also includes sushi chef Jaturavit Saysena, a friend and work colleague of Paul's for many years, who has worked in some of the world’s best sushi restaurants.
Uramaki began a local delivery service within 15 miles of Nottingham, then added pick-up points at farm shops in the area.
But this latest move allows the company to deliver across the UK – opening up a significant market.
Former hotel manager Rachel, who now works part-time at the Waterside Apartments at Trent Bridge, and husband Paul, a chef at Lakeside, in Ravenshead, were put in touch with the Food Innovation Centre by business support enterprise Nottingham Business Venture.
The centre is based at the Bioenergy and Brewing Science building at the University of Nottingham’s Sutton Bonington campus, and offers free support to eligible small and medium-sized food and drink manufacturers in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
Rachel said: “Support from the Food Innovation Centre has been really helpful for us.
“We were a new business in lockdown and if you haven’t got the skill base to solve particular challenges or don’t know how to get the information that you need, it’s really helpful to be able to speak to someone like Jack.
“It’s someone believing in your vision and helping you to reach the next step.”
Richard Worrall, who runs the Food Innovation Centre, said: “We are very pleased to hear that the Uramaki team has been able to introduce a nationwide delivery service.
“Lockdown proved to be a catalyst for a number of new food and drink businesses in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and we are delighted to be supporting them on their journeys as they develop.”
