Milcobel’s Mozzarella Experience Centre was officially inaugurated on the 11th of May, in the presence of MEP Tom Vandenkendelaere. In this experience centre Milcobel wants to use its years of expertise for the benefit of professional customers from all over the world.
Said Francis Relaes, managing director, Milcobel Premium Ingredients: “Over the past 20 years, Milcobel has invested in research into the characteristics of mozzarella as an ingredient, and this thanks to long-term cooperation with universities and research institutes in Belgium and beyond. This resulted in valuable insights and knowledge about the behaviour of mozzarella in a whole range of applications. But it also taught us more about ripening, transport, freezing, thawing and other important issues in the many export markets where Milcobel operates.”
It’s that knowledge and insight that Milcobel now wants to share more intensively with customers and partners. The traditional sales relationship will be broadened to include R&D, marketing, etc. Demonstrations will take place in the Centre, for example, where specific customer applications can be tested and analysed. Innovation and inspiration days will be organised for professional customers, and Milcobel will set up collaborations with pizza chefs, chefs and hotel schools as well.
In the coming years, the Milcobel site in Langemark will become a knowledge hub for mozzarella and pasta filata cheeses and their applications.
Added Relaes: “With the opening of the Mozzarella Experience Centre, we are taking the next step in our mozzarella story. Here we continue to build a sustainable future for our cooperative and our company by focusing on innovation, know-how, co-creation and collaboration with customers and chefs worldwide. A true experience centre where we put our knowledge and expertise at the service of our customers. Milcobel has succeeded in putting Belgium on the map as a mozzarella country.
Concluded MEP Tom Vandenkendelaere: Milcobel has succeeded in putting Belgium on the map as a mozzarella country. Anno 2023, Milcobel not only has the reputation of pioneering Belgian mozzarella at home, but its fame reaches far beyond its own borders in Europe. The ingredients at the basis of this success story – embedding sustainability in the economic and social fabric of the region – are also at the basis of what we want to achieve Europe-wide with the Green Deal. That also includes making our food policy more sustainable with the ‘farm-to-table’ strategy. Milcobel is committed to economic and social sustainability and invests in sustainable production processes. Cooperative companies like Milcobel also play an important role in European policy precisely because they strengthen the farmer. This is therefore both the ambition and the challenge for Milcobel. We need more awareness and respect for sustainable and high-quality production in our region. Because it is precisely this expertise, knowledge and quality that has put our region on the map.” For more visit milcobel.com/en/
