Dragons’ Den sisters launch ecommerce site for Chinese condiments business

Two entrepreneurs who run a Chinese condiments firm in Greater Manchester have expanded their digital footprint.

Sisters Lisa and Helen Tse, the minds behind the Sweet Mandarin range of sauces, have launched a new ecommerce website to unlock the next chapter for their growing culinary business.

Sweet Mandarin’s range includes curry, hot chilli, gluten- and sugar-free sauces in addition to rubs, oils, noodles and rice – all produced at the firm’s 20,000 sq ft factory in Middleton, near Rochdale.

Lisa and Helen, who have published four cookbooks and hold MBEs for their services to the food and drink industry, also run the Sweet Mandarin restaurant and cooking school in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

Lisa said: “We are very excited about the launch of the new online shop. It was a long-time in the planning but all the hard work was worth it.

“It’s fantastic for us to now be able to showcase our entire product range in one place.”

Helen commented: “We see the online shop as an extension of the restaurant. Our vision was to showcase our brand in our own unique way.

“I think we’ve achieved that and we are now focussed on maximising its full potential.”

In 2012, the Sweet Mandarin sisters gained national exposure after appearing on the TV show Dragons’ Den and securing a £50k investment from entrepreneurs Duncan Bannatyne and Hilary Devey.

Sweet Mandarin’s new restaurant website was created by Salford-based marketing agency Monitor Creative.