What's New? – Food and Drink
Bank on success The weather has been great, and we will all be enjoying the long run of bank holidays that's ahead. Your customers' thoughts will be turning to days out, and that means dining out. It's important to be prepared and ready with offerings that will pull in the punters. Help is at hand with Jackie Mitchell's monthly round-up of new products to help you succeed
Beef makes a comeback Beef on the bone is making a steady comeback after the ban was lifted at the end of 1999, according to a new survey carried out by British Meat Foodservice.
The latest research shows that half of all catering outlets are serving the same amount of beef on the bone dishes now, as they were before the ban. In the restaurant sector, 30 per cent of outlets report that they are now selling more beef on the bone dishes than they were before the ban was imposed.
The most popular cut of beef on the bone is the T- bone steak, which is a particular favourite in the pub sector.
Caterers now feel that it is important to let their customers know the origin of meat they serve on the menu, says the survey.
Tony Goodger, trade sector manager for British Meat Foodservice says: "We believe that caterers should make the most of this opportunity to bring beef on the bone back on menus. We would definitely advise caterers to label the origin of meat clearly on their menus."
British Meat Foodservice
Hokey, kokey The new Fishwich New Zealand Hoki fillet from Brakes is a 85g square portion of fish covered in crispy breadcrumbs. It can be cooked from frozen.
The fillet carries the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Standard logo which means it has met the MSC Standard for sustainable and well managed fisheries.
New Zealand Hoki is one of seven fisheries certified to the MSC Standard. For more information, visit the web site www.msc.org
Brakes
Fruit and fibre in a bar Kellogg's Foodservice Solutions has launched a brand new Fruit'n Fibre cereal bar. Building on the popularity of the Fruit ‘n' Fibre cereal, the new bar comprises whole wheat cereals and fruit covered in a yogurt drizzle.
The Fruit'n Fibre bar joins Kellogg's established portfolio of lighter snacks which includes Nutri-Grain Strawberry, Special K Bar, Nutri-Grain Elevenses Raisin and Strawberry Fruit Winders.
Michelle Willetts, product solutions manager, Kellogg's, says: "These four core products have mass appeal, making them suitable for all catering operations. The new Fruit'n Fibre bar will be a perfect rotating stock line to maintain interest at point of purchase and drive sales."
The launch is being supported by a consumer advertising campaign and sample drops into 750g packs of Fruit'n Fibre cereal, reaching 800,000 potential customers.
Kellogg's Foodservice Solutions
Cheese please A new survey says cheese is the second most popular sandwich filling in the UK, following chicken.
As Brian Baker, managing director of The Cheese Cellar Company says: "Cheese is so versatile - you can use it for a vast array of different sandwiches, apart from the usual Cheese and Onion doorstep. Try Goat's Cheese with Onion Marmalade or Ciabatta or Brie and Grape Panini - there are endless combinations."
The company offers over 2,000 cheese products.
The Cheese Cellar
A taste of New Zealand Traditional New Zealand Lamb Mince from Bernard Matthews Food Service can be used for a host of dishes including moussaka, shepherds pie, lamb burgers and meatballs.
It is supplied in 1.5kg bags (with eight bags to a case) and is frozen.
Bernard Matthews Food Service
In a shell The new Tortilla Shell from Foodafayre is a crispy shell cup which can be used to create highly visual South American or Spanish dishes.
It is available in three sizes - canap‚ 1in, 3in and 5in - and can be used for a wide array of dishes such as hors d'oeuvres, starters and main courses.
The cups can hold all types of fillings whether it's a runny goat's cheese and tomato starter dish or a hot chilli con carne and salad main course.
Suitable for vegetarians, the 1in Canap‚ Tortilla Shells are available in cases of 180, priced at 16p per unit. The 3in Tortilla Shells are in cases of 108 and the 5in Tortilla Shells in cases of 48, are priced at 27p and 50p per unit respectively.
Foodafayre
Chicken on a skewer New chicken sticklers from Plusfood are 30g portions of chicken, marinated in either Ginger & Lemongrass, Green Thai or Black Bean on a bamboo style skewer.
They can be cooked from frozen quickly and can be served as starters or children's meals, as well as for main meals, combos and buffets.
Available in cases of 60 x 30g portions.
Plusfoods
In the ring Ardo has introduced Onion Rings to its product range. They have two different coatings and can be served as an appertiser, as part of a combo or as an accompaniment with a main meal.
Available in two varieties - breaded onion rings and crunchy breaded onion rings.
Also new from Ardo is the new Ratatouille to the A Table range of ready-to-cook vegetables. This is a combination of tomatoes, grilled aubergines, courgettes, onion and peppers in an olive oil and herb sauce.
Available in 12 x 750g and 4 x 2.5kg.
Ardo
Make it big Fairway Foodservice has added several new ready meals under the "Bigger Meals" brand.
These are: Harissa Chicken with Couscous (500g); Chicken in Chilli and Red Wine Sauce (500g); also on a bed of couscous: Greek Moussaka (450g); Five Cheese and Spinach Cannelloni (450g), as well as two vegetarian dishes - Spicy Bean and Vegetables Pasta - both 500g.
All dishes can be cooked from frozen in minutes in the microwave and are in units of 12.
Prices vary from £2 for the Spicy Bean and Vegetable Pasta to £2.60 for the Harissa Chicken.
Fairway Foodservice
Throw a steak on the barbie Freshbake Foods has improved the recipes for two barbecue products Unger King Ribs and Unger Chipsteak. This means reduced shrinkage when the products are grilled from frozen.
Unger King Ribs, an alternative to barbecued spare ribs, are made of portk with a tangy seasoning. The 4oz size is in Barbecue and Chinese versions, while the 2oz Junior Rib is in a Barbecue versions.
Unger Chipsteaks are made from 90 per cent beef with a kidney shape. There are two sizes - 5oz (140g) and 3oz (84g). The larger size is also available in 5oz Peppered Pork Chipsteak and 5oz Garlic & Herb Chipsteak versions.
Freshbake Foods
Seafood at the ready Cuisine Range is the new brand of ready meals introduced by Lyons Seafoods.
The first two new products are: Prawn Balti, using whole prawns in a freshly made authentic Balti sauce. All you have to do is add rice and a naan bread.
Salmon Fillet in Lobster and Dill sauce - a skinless, boneless fillet of Wild Alaskan Salmon with freshly made lobster and dill sauce. Ths can be served as a light lunch with a green salad or served as a main course with new potatoes or rice.
Both meals are supplied in "easy peel" pouches. Simply poach for ten minutes or pierce the bag and microwave for a few minutes.
Available in 280g individual packs.
Lyons Seafoods
Well oiled Porcini infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil from IB Food, from the Ligurian region of Italy, can be used in place of fresh or dried mushrooms.
It can also be added to enhance various dishes such as antipasti, main course and salads.
It can be used as a base for soups or sauces or as a condiment to drizzle on top of pasta, pizza and bruschetta.
IB Foods
A slice of the action The new array of savour slices from Canterbury Foods are in four varieties - minced beed and onion gravy, vegetable, cheese and onion and steak.
The two meat-based slices contain chunks of seak in a rich beef gravy or lean minced beef with onion, while the vegetable slice comprises green beans, peas and carrots in a savoury potato base.
Simply bake from frozen for 25 minutes in a pre-heated oven.
Canterbury Foods
Grab a pizza Italian action Brakes new Real Italian Pizza range comprises three 10in stone baked pizzas in traditional Italian flavours
These three varieties are Salami, Pepperoni and Roquette; Mediterranean Chargrilled Vegetables and Margherita.
Both the Salami and Mediterranean pizzas cost £29.50 for a pack of ten (£2.95 each) and the Margherita pizza costs £26.50 for a pack of ten (£2.65 each).
Brakes
