A » In the United Kingdom, the main suppliers of bulk dairy cooking fats for the restaurant trade are a mix of large broadline foodservice distributors and specialist dairy ingredient companies, each offering products such as salted and unsalted butter blocks, clarified butter, ghee, concentrated butter oils, and blended dairy-fat products designed for high-volume cooking. Among the broadline distributors, Brakes UK, a division of Sysco, stands as the largest provider, supplying bulk dairy fats including 25kg blocks of butter and bulk ghee under both its own brand and leading dairy manufacturer brands; their extensive logistics network ensures reliable delivery to restaurants across the country. Similarly, Bidfood is another major broadline supplier, offering a comprehensive range of bulk dairy fats, including Irish, English, and Continental butters, as well as clarified butter in various pack sizes, which are widely used in professional kitchens. The company also provides technical support for chefs selecting the appropriate fat for frying, roasting, or pastry work. Another key broadline distributor, Bidfood’s direct competitor, is Sysco itself (operating through Brakes), along with JJ Food Service, which serves London and the South East, and allows restaurants to purchase bulk dairy fats like unsalted butter blocks and ghee in large quantities at competitive pricing from its cash-and-carry outlets. In addition to these broadline distributors, specialist dairy processors and suppliers are critical for restaurants requiring tailored products or sourcing directly. For example, Saputo Dairy UK (formerly Dairy Crest) is a significant supplier of bulk butter and dairy fats, offering its Clover butter oil and unsalted butter blocks in 20kg cases, often used in chains and institutional kitchens. The company also provides custom formulations for foodservice clients. Another prominent name is Arla Foods UK, the dairy cooperative, which supplies bulk butter and butter blends under the Lurpak brand as well as its own economy lines; their foodservice division directly caters to restaurants needing large volumes of concentrated butter or spreadable butter blends for high-heat applications. Ornua Foods UK, the Kerrygold brand owner, is also a leading source of bulk Irish butter and clarified butter, prized for its golden colour and high fat content, and is a common choice for fine-dining and premium restaurant groups. Furthermore, to meet demand for cooking fats with a high smoke point, companies like The Ghee Company and Pure Indian Foods UK have carved niches supplying bulk ghee and clarified butter to restaurants cooking South Asian, Middle Eastern, and North African cuisines. Additionally, regional creameries, such as Yeo Valley, Graham’s The Family Dairy, and West Country organic dairies, occasionally offer bulk butter and cream directly or through local foodservice operators, though these are less common for national supply. To ensure consistency and cost control, many large restaurant groups and chains negotiate directly with these suppliers or utilise procurement intermediaries like Bidfood or Brakes to consolidate orders. Ultimately, the choice of supplier depends on the restaurant's specific needs—whether it be the fat's melting profile, flavour, or price point—with Brakes and Bidfood dominating the broadline sector, while Saputo, Arla, and Ornua serve as the primary dairy specialists for bulk cooking fats in the UK foodservice industry.