After embarking on a journey through the traditional vinegar-makers of Europe, Lírah founder, Ian Henderson made it his mission to create a product that would help Australians appreciate superior quality vinegar, and that’s how Lírah was born.
Under the Lírah brand, Ian has built the finest mix of vinegar cultures, equipment, and people, to become Australia’s premier provider of gourmet vinegars for the fine-home-dining and fine-food service markets.
Today, Lírah operates from a state of the art, purpose-built factory in Stanthorpe, in Southern Queensland’s famous, Granite Belt, in an impressive, custom-built facility where thousands of litres of vinegar are produced every week.
After embarking on a journey through the traditional vinegar-makers of Europe, Lírah founder, Ian Henderson made it his mission to create a product that would help Australians appreciate superior quality vinegar, and that’s how Lírah was born.
Under the Lírah brand, Ian has built the finest mix of vinegar cultures, equipment, and people, to become Australia’s premier provider of gourmet vinegars for the fine-home-dining and fine-food service markets.
Today, Lírah operates from a state of the art, purpose-built factory in Stanthorpe, in Southern Queensland’s famous, Granite Belt, in an impressive, custom-built facility where thousands of litres of vinegar are produced every week.
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Ian Henderson (2006 – Vinegar Making)
This prestigious scholarship was awarded to study vinegar manufacturing from foods currently in oversupply in Australia (apples, pears, citrus, sugar, wine grapes) as a means of finding alternative markets and uses for this produce. Ian studied the art of vinegar making in Austria, Italy, Spain and France.
The Lirah team consists of a dedicated team of food loving professionals. Successfully combining a variety of backgrounds and skills, the team strives each day to produce the very best vinegar products. The shared love of good food is a cornerstone of our company culture. Every week, the team enjoys a ‘company lunch’, prepared by a different team member – all of whom are not only very knowledgeable in vinegar production but also how to use vinegar to enhance food experiences.
If you want to work at Lirah you have to love food; it’s the shared passion for food, cooking and quality Australian produce that binds the team. Weekly staff lunches, regular company restaurant trips and food escape weekends are all part of working at Lirah. Most of our team have science discipline backgrounds but have found a place where science and precision can mix with food enthusiasm to create exceptional products.
Ian is the most respected vinegar and highly qualified vinegar maker in Australia. Using his extensive education and work experience in Europe, in combination with his Australian winemaking qualifications, Ian has created in Lirah, a unique fusion of old-world methods and modern-Australian style.
Ian travels the world educating trade and consumers on how vinegar is made and how to use vinegar with confidence in cuisine. Many of Australia’s leading chefs use Lirah products and work directly with Ian in the development of dishes for their restaurants. Ian’s skill and expertise is also sought by many Australian major food manufacturers to help them create new and innovative products using vinegars. Lirah also produces custom-made vinegars to assist food manufacturers in food processing.