BIG K STORIES
Melina (Kleanthous) Bremer, shares the Big K origin story. Uncovering the inspiration behind the brand, what sets Big K apart, and finally settling the age-old debate. Lumpwood or Briquettes?
For anyone who doesn't know Big K yet, how would you describe it?
The biggest family you ever came across!
Seeking out the best quality charcoal is in our blood, passed down through three generations. Over the years we have developed a product range we are proud of selling, including Professional grade charcoal, BBQ products and winter fuel with a family driven customer service.
When did the original idea for Big K come from?
My Bapoo (grandad in Greek) immigrated to the UK in 1964 from Cyprus. Opening a Cypriot restaurant in London, he couldn't find any high quality, reliable charcoal to use. Charcoal being a very important ingredient of Greek cooking, my Bapoo decided to import some from Cyprus. Word spread amongst his friends that good quality charcoal was in town and demand for it began to increase.
My father, Chris, who was 12 at the time, followed his father to the UK. At 17, Chris began delivering charcoal to restaurants in the UK for his dad. Chris then took the London restaurant business and expanded it into the Big K of today, distributing Summer and Winter fuels alongside our core restaurant business nationwide.
What do you think really sets Big K apart from others in the industry?
Serving restaurants nationwide every week, I really believe we are experts in the marketplace and care immensely about what we deliver to our customers. We believe charcoal is a key ingredient in cooking and should be as important as the quality of food you cook.
A good steak can be ruined by the wrong charcoal.
If our customers are not happy, it really does affect us deeply and we take it personally. We are leaders in the field of innovation whilst never giving up our core value of quality and service.
How important are Big K's values, and how do they show up day to day?
My dad likes to ask new employees what they think is more important to us.
Quality or Value for money.
Quality is the most important value, once you can maintain this in everything you do, value will follow. Quality in the products, in the service we deliver, in our relationships we nurture and in our people.
Our values are not something we throw out every now and then, but is a philosophy embedded within us that guides every decision we make.
Quality. Trust. Family.
How do you make sure Big K is really listening to it's customers?
Too many to list!
We have an incredible Sales Support team that we regularly have a coffee with to make sure we are hearing what is really being fed back to us. Their main objective is to onboard new customers and visit all customers regularly to make sure we are delivering to the high standards we strive to achieve.
We do not ignore comments made, good or bad and actively encourage honesty within our staff, customers and suppliers. We don’t always get it right, no one is perfect, but we do our upmost to correct it.
How did your own journey with Big K begin?
As the daughter of the boss, from day dot!!!
What are some moments at Big K that really stand out for you?
Visiting suppliers abroad is always a privilege for me, to meet the teams behind the quality and spend time with the communities we touch.
More recently our staff in Namibia created their own T-shirt design.
“Carbo & Big K - Best Team Ever”
It really hit home that although the acquisition was a business decision, we can still empower those around us and impact people far and wide.
Away from business, watching how everyone throws themselves into all the charity events we hold – the soak a boss day was a particular highlight!
Seeing all the love on the influencer group always makes me super proud!
What does leading Big K mean to you on a personal level?
It is both an honour and a privilege to be entrusted with the family legacy. I have big boots to fill from the BBQ King himself, my dad, and I am excited for what the future holds for Big K always pushing boundaries.
Early starts or late finishes?
I’m definitely a sunrise girl!
Coffee or tea?
A decaf coffee for the taste not the kick, and a tea for those nattering moments with my mum!
Phone call or email?
Phone call to teach my kids the old school way of communicating!
Music or Silence?
My life is full of crazy hectic brilliant loudness filled with music and laughter….a little silence every now and then is pure bliss!
Barbecue or Takeaway?
Barbeque at home with family and friends and takeaway from my mum and dad’s house.
Lumpwood or briquettes?
Only the best will do, professional Lumpwood all the way (shame I can’t cook like a pro)!
Fireplace or Log Burner?
Fireplace reminds me of roasting chestnuts with my brother Alex as a child.
Steak or veg?
As the daughter of a legend in the charcoal world dare I say veg!!!
New or Traditional?
That’s a difficult one, I love looking into all things new and always try to overlap with traditional.
