A family business

Our Story

Our business, Durham Foods Limited (creator of Where The River Bends), has been producing fine foods in the historic cathedral city of Durham for almost half a century. Our business has three generations of the family working together across various departments to maintain the high standards set by the founder Alan Hamilton Snr.

The family, which is still growing, live by the banks of the River Wear, overlooked by its majestic castle and world heritage site cathedral. The family travels extensively to discover new foods, which they can take inspiration from, but always return to ‘Where The River Bends’.

Our Mission

“At Where The River Bends, our mission is to create delicious, wholesome dips that everyone can enjoy, Free From Gluten, Nuts, and Dairy, and made entirely from plants. Guided by our core values of integrity, compassion, and service, we craft every recipe with care, using natural ingredients, bold flavours, and a commitment to sustainability. We believe food should bring people together, not set them apart, and we prioritise customer satisfaction at every step, ensuring every tub we make flows with quality, kindness, and connection.”

What Our Customers say

Tried these veggie dips for the first time today. Where the River Bends dips are made in #Durham by Durham Foods Limited and their flavours really did make a positive impression.
They are gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free. But it’s the fact that they are so flavourful that means I was impressed.

Stuart-Go Eat Do

Certain foods you associate with certain places and anyone local when they think of Pease Pudding will instantly think Durham Foods Limited for the best taste around .The staff at Costspex Opticians have been very lucky to sample and enjoy the taste sensations of their new ”where the RIVER BENDS ” dips . I myself took an additional interest in the products due to the fact that due to a dairy product intolerance I am often ruled out of enjoying a lot of the other dips currently available in the supermarkets .These dips well exceeded my expectations and are so versatile as well as unbelievably tasty . For anyone who likes a bit of a kick the chilli and lime dip is one I would certainly recommend .I used it on crusty bread baked in the oven as an accompaniment to the family meal in replacement of garlic bread ,however I am sure the lemon and garlic dip would have been just as nice .For anyone who prefers a slightly milder slightly sweeter taste the Lemongrass and ginger dip was the one to opt for which I enjoyed with rocket leaves in my sandwiches.

Hayley Lynch

It’s great to find a tasty range of allergen free dips at least. The perfect offering for coeliac’s or the ever increasing number of clean eaters. We promote the full range as a healthy alternative to mayonnaise in our sandwiches, salads and as a delicious dip for crudites and finger foods. The Jalapeño, Lime & Coriander works beautifully in our Falafel & Hot Mango gluten free sandwich, whilst the Roasted Pepper enhances our Italian stallion. 

Gill Reeve- Denes Deli