It is with great sadness that we say farewell to Derek Kelly, the founder of the KellyBronze, who has died at the age of 95. He is the man who had the vision to ensure that the bronze turkey, with all its traditional goodness and flavour, remained on the Christmas table. In the late 1970s and early 80s, he scoured the country to gather the last of the bronze breeds which were rapidly being replaced by fast growing white turkeys, taking them back to Essex where he and his wife Mollie, and son Paul, focused on breeding the very best tasting Christmas turkey.
Overcoming the naysayers and some significant curveballs, the Kellys built a loyal following, from food lovers to celebrity chefs and famous faces, all who appreciated their approach to slow grown turkeys, the traditional way in the outdoors with a focus on taste and high welfare standards. To build on this, they partnered with a select number of farmers across the country, like us, to give more people the chance to enjoy a local KellyBronze at Christmas. Derek led the industry with huge passion and, on a personal note, he showed us wonderful kindness and support as we set out on our turkey journey. He has left an extraordinary legacy not only of excellent turkeys and an impressive business, but a reminder that where there's a will, there's a way.
|
|
