CHEESE & DAIRY
Past, present & future!
It’s an exciting time at Carnevale, with celebrations, product innovation and a key focus on sustainability. We caught up with Luigi Carnevale and Maurizio Valerio.
Tell us about business developments In recent years, Carnevale Group has invested heavily in new depots across the country, greener and more sustainable vans and lorries, and the creation of dozens of jobs. At Carnevale, we are more than just passionate about products; we are passionate about the planet. Safeguarding the environment is a top priority. Since 2011, our commitment to renewable energy has been clear, with over 500 solar panels installed on our warehouses. These have generated hundreds of thousands of kWh of clean electricity. Last year, we invested in machinery to produce quality, filled fresh pasta in central London, which was launched under the new Passione Pasta range. We also embarked on a considerable investment project into our dairy production in Bedford, particularly our award-winning burrata and stracciatella. A high-capacity production line allows us to make these products on an industrial scale in the UK – the only one of its kind! We also installed a ricotta bagging line to offer this product in 10kg recyclable pouches for manufacturing, and are currently installing a Fior di Latte
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maturation line with a view to improving its quality and consistency. Our products are sold under the Carnevale brand, as well as Valerio, which boasts a long, family heritage, having been founded in 1964. Valerio manufactures premium, artisan Italian cheese and meat products, using carefully selected British raw materials and traditional Italian production machinery and methods. We are proud of our authentic cheeses, made fresh every day using the finest British milk. From creamy mozzarella and burrata to delicate ricotta and milky Fior di Latte, it’s Italian tradition combined with British excellence.
manufacturing and selling mozzarella and ricotta in London. At that time, fresh Italian cheeses were almost unknown in some parts of Italy, let alone the UK! They were subsequently joined by other family members, and thanks to sacrifice, vision and passion, we have been able to offer the British market the finest UK-manufactured Fior di Latte, burrata, fresh pasta, sausages and pepperoni, as well as a comprehensive assortment of imported Italian produce. Today, Carnevale has six distribution depots, three BRC-accredited manufacturing sites and a portfolio of over 3000 food and drinks. Over the years,
I understand Carnevale is celebrating a major milestone in 2026. This year is our 60th anniversary. It was in 1966 that two young brothers – Carmine and Giovanni Carnevale from the Apennine village of Capracotta in Molise, Southern Italy – established the company and began www.pizzapastamagazine.co.uk 13/02/2026 11:17