Today’s operators place a high value on working with vendors who position themselves as strategic allies, building upon a foundation of mutual investment and collaboration in pursuit of excellence and long-term success. Relationship development is nearly as important as product or recipe development, affirm top chefs in the business. Being able to connect with individuals working behind the scenes can solidify that bond.

Elements of a vendor’s corporate culture—ethical sourcing, employee care, quality standards, transparency, commitment to service—can make a lasting impression on a potential customer and lead to continued loyalty. The impact is felt all the way to the guest’s dinner plate.

Family-owned since 1914, Mountaire Farms has a well-established culture of care: for its team members, its animals and its customers. According to Chef Rosalyn Darling, who has worked with Mountaire Farms to inspire menu development, “Our collaboration revealed their genuine passion for the well-being of their employees, customers and business partners. Their engagement is like being part of a family, where each member is valued and supported.”

Darling and other notable chefs collaborating with Mountaire Farms attest to the positive impact vendor partnerships have on critical areas of their businesses—and applaud the commitment demonstrated by the company.

Innovation

“Mountaire Farms is listening to operators in order to deliver consistent quality and service. Their packaging innovations have led to fail-proof solutions that make managing fresh chicken back-of-house a safer, more pleasurable experience.”
—Chef Daniel Ernce

Standards

“As a chef dedicated to excellence and consistency, I expect the same high standards from my vendor partners. It is crucial that vendors are purposeful in their innovations, anticipating the needs of culinary professionals with creative products and best-in-class packaging. Their teams need to be proactive in understanding the evolving demands of the industry, be quick to respond to inquiries and show they are adaptable within the inevitable fluctuations that characterize the foodservice business. Behind-the-scenes operational processes deeply influence my decision to maintain and deepen a vendor partnership.”
—Chef Rosalyn Darling

Trust

“The team at Mountaire Farms is amazingly transparent about all aspects of their operation. When you have a vendor that is transparent and open about their operations, it is a clear signal to me that they believe in, and stand behind, their products. And the more you know about their internal processes, the better you can assess how their core values align with yours. The best partnerships are those with shared goals, visions, actions and beliefs.”
—Chef Ian Clark

Hospitality

“I like to be around like-minded people focused on how we all can be successful, partnering together with kindness, expertise and passion, without being too ‘sales-y.’ We are all in the hospitality industry.”
—Chef Dave Woolley

Discover the people and products of Mountaire Farms at MountairePeople.com.