A group of culinary professionals from Germany, including chefs and butchers, recently visited a member farm of Irish Hereford Prime in County Offaly, Ireland. Organised as part of the long-standing partnership between Irish Hereford Prime and Otto Gourmet, the visit offered a firsthand look at the sustainable farming practices and lush grassland conditions that underpin the consistent quality of Irish Hereford Prime beef.

Michael Cleary, representing Irish Hereford Prime, welcomed the group and introduced the tour. “We’re here today with Stefan Otto from Otto Gourmet in Germany, along with some of the chefs and butchers,” said Cleary. “Today we are showing them where their beef is sourced and where Irish Hereford Prime beef gets its taste and consistency from — a grass-fed, sustainable system.”

The visit was not just a tour but an immersive experience into the story behind Irish Hereford Prime beef. Guests were introduced to the cattle, the farmland and the farming methods that contribute to the premium reputation of the brand. A warm Irish welcome was extended to the group, and the sense of connection between food origin and culinary execution was reinforced throughout the day.

A Longstanding Relationship with Otto Gourmet

Otto Gourmet, a German premium meat distributor, has been working with Irish Hereford Prime for over 15 years. Pascal Litzke, Sales Manager for Otto Gourmet, explained the origin of the collaboration. “Otto Gourmet was founded 20 years ago, and our purpose is to bring the best meat we can find worldwide to Germany and sell it to restaurants and also to private consumers,” he said.

Litzke elaborated on how Irish Hereford Prime became part of Otto Gourmet’s offering early in the company’s journey. “I think we are buying Irish Hereford Prime now for over 15 years. It was right after we started our company that my brother Wolfgang found this beef here in Ireland. And we were immediately convinced of it,” he said.

Since then, Irish Hereford Prime has been one of Otto Gourmet’s top three best-selling beef categories. Litzke highlighted the trust and transparency behind the product: “I love the Irish Hereford Prime products because the quality is, every time, perfect. The customers know that we know where it’s coming from. We visit the farms, we know the animals, we know how they breed.”

Chef Perspectives on Irish Hereford Prime

Joining the visit were several chefs who use Irish Hereford Prime in their kitchens, including Roel Lintermans, a chef at Restaurant Veronika in Berlin. Lintermans emphasised the importance of quality and consistency in meat sourcing.

“We choose Irish Hereford Prime beef as it’s European and grass-fed,” said Lintermans. “We never get complaints since we’ve been using it. The quality of the meat is spot on.”

When it comes to personal preference, Lintermans doesn’t hesitate. “I personally like the ribeye cut as it’s very consistent, very nicely caramelised, well marbled — definitely my favourite cut. And I definitely recommend it due to consistency and European quality.”

Retail and Butchery Praise for Irish Hereford Prime

Kevin Barlik, a Fleischsommelier (meat sommelier) at Eberswalder Wurst, also attended the visit. Barlik runs his own retail outlet in collaboration with Eberswalder Wurst and proudly features Irish Hereford Prime in his store.

“I have my own shop in collaboration with Eberswalder Wurst, and we sell premium products like this amazing Irish beef in our store,” Barlik said. “The quality is simply outstanding. You can really taste the pure grass-fed flavour.”

For Barlik, visual appeal is just as important as taste. “Visually it just looks incredible and it’s a showstopper!” he added.

Experiencing the Source

According to the organisers, the visit was designed to bring international buyers and users of Irish Hereford Prime beef closer to the product’s origin. The visitors from Germany were introduced not only to the animals and land but also to the farmers behind the product — learning about the passion and care involved in raising Hereford cattle.

Through this direct connection to the source, chefs, butchers and meat distributors were able to see the values of traceability, sustainability and animal welfare in practice. It was an opportunity to strengthen their confidence in the product they’ve long championed in the German market.

Final Impressions

The visit left a lasting impression on the German guests, many of whom had already built their businesses around Irish Hereford Prime beef. As shared on Irish Hereford Prime’s Instagram page: “They experienced firsthand the story behind our exceptional beef — from lush green pastures to the gentle, docile nature of the Hereford animal. Safe to say, they were blown away.”

This visit marks another chapter in the ongoing collaboration between Irish Hereford Prime and Otto Gourmet, demonstrating the power of transparency, connection to origin and consistent product quality in building international partnerships.