Sixty years is a remarkable length of time for any business, especially in such a competitive sector – what’s been key to your success?

When Carnevale was established in 1966, Britain looked very different. Italian food certainly wasn't the everyday part of British life that it is today. Carmine Carnevale, his brother Giovanni and sisters Antonia & Anna believed that Italian food deserved a place on British tables. It took vision, courage and determination to turn that belief into reality.

Success does not arrive in neat five-year plans. It is built one customer at a time, one delivery at a time, one relationship at a time, and often one problem solved at a time.

If I had to identify the key to our success, I wouldn’t point to a single factor but to a combination of hard work and values that are deeply rooted in Italian culture, that we have successfully brought to Britain.

Food & drink have a unique ability to bring people together – connecting generations, families and even strangers around the table. That sense of sharing and authenticity is at the heart of Italian  culture, and it has always been at the heart of Carnevale.

We have also focused on giving customers an unrivalled choice, offering a comprehensive range of products representing all 20 regions of Italy, from the Alps to Sicily and Sardinia. At the same time, we have invested in service: with six depots across the UK, no minimum order, next-day delivery, and a dedicated customer service team. 

Let’s talk about your father. He must be proud of his work – and how he has moved the company forward over the years?

Yes, and he’s grateful to celebrate this remarkable milestone. Sixty years ago, he could never have imagined that he would still be here, seeing how much the company has grown and how many people are now part of the Carnevale family.

When Carmine left the small village of Capracotta in the Molise region, he was searching for new opportunities and a better future in the UK. He began by producing fresh mozzarella in central London and was soon joined by his siblings. Together, they worked tirelessly to build the business that you see today.

It’s been a privilege to work alongside many outstanding suppliers, customers and colleagues. Some of these relationships have lasted for decades and grown into genuine friendships. We have celebrated successes together and overcome challenges.

From those humble beginnings, producing just a handful of dairy products, we now have seven distribution facilities and three BRC-accredited production plants, manufacturing award-winning dairy products, cured meats, authentic Italian sausages and fresh pasta. 

How has your market/operational focus changed… and what does the future hold?

Over the years, as I mentioned, we have built strong and lasting partnerships with suppliers. We are incredibly grateful for the trust they have placed in us, allowing us to represent not only their products but, in many cases, their family names here in the UK. It’s a given that every product we sell carries not only their brand but also their reputation, and we never take that responsibility for granted.

The past few years have presented significant challenges, from Brexit to the pandemic, plus ongoing pressures on supply chains and the wider economy. However, rather than standing still, we adapted. We listened to customers, responded to changing market demands and continued to look for ways to differentiate ourselves from competitors.

Looking ahead, we have a number of exciting projects, investing in making processes efficient, reliable and easier through a more efficient web-portal. We are expanding our fleet with cleaner, more environmentally friendly vehicles, opening a new depot in South London, launching a website, investing in production machinery – including state-of-the-art fresh pasta, burrata & stracciatella lines – and introducing a wide range of exciting imported Italian products in the coming months.

But the focus is always on building long-term partnerships and delivering outstanding service.

Where do you see Italian food in the UK market right now? 

It’s delightful to see it continued success – and we are proud to have played a part.

The UK food market has evolved considerably since Carnevale was founded. Consumers are very knowledgeable about Italian food. They have a better understanding of quality, the differences between products and the importance of authenticity. This growing awareness has created a greater appreciation for genuine ingredients and traditional methods of production.

There is more choice of global foods than ever before, so competition is hard. However, the strength of Italian cuisine has always been its exceptional quality, the passion and craftsmanship of the people who produce it, and the incredible freshness and diversity.

To ensure this success continues, we believe education is essential. Consumers need to understand the value of paying for authentic products that are made with care and tradition. It is also important to showcase the incredible diversity of Italy’s regional cuisine. By introducing products from every corner of the country, we can cater to a wider range of tastes while giving smaller, local producers the opportunity to bring their outstanding products to the UK market.

How are you incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and advancing technology?

AI is already being used in various facets of our business – it’s an important opportunity for growth. It can certainly support our day-to-day operations and make our work more efficient, especially in specific departments.

If AI is used in the right way, it can be an incredible asset for a company like ours, which relies heavily on data, stock management, forecasting and, above all, excellent customer service.

Finally, we would like to thank all the people that have worked for us in the past 60 years, our supply-partners from Italy and the UK, and of course our fantastic customers. We would not be here without them! Trust has been built over time rather than transactions – perhaps that is Carnevale's greatest achievement. My family didn’t build this company simply to reach 60 years; they built it to continue. That is a very different ambition to some businesses and is why we want to reiterate: ‘un Grande Grazie!’