Latest Industry News
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Monday, February 8th, 2010, (10:09 am)
NOT BUYING INTO VALENTINE’S HYPE BUT …
The Parma ham people have sent over an idea which allows consumers to do a bit of Valentining without having to buy into the hype. The say “Show your love with these cute heart-shaped pastry cases filled with Parma Ham, caramelised red onions, chunks of feta cheese and fresh rosemary, and served with balsamic figs and Parma Ham.” -
Friday, February 5th, 2010, (12:22 pm)
PREMIER FOODS LAUNCHES REDUCED SALT OXO IN PET CONTAINER
Premier Foods has launched its latest OXO innovation — Reduced Salt Stock Granules in a PET container from Graham Packaging’s Chalgrove Plant in the United Kingdom.
Premier Foods required a lightweight, square container in line with OXO’s iconic “cube” branding look. “We were tasked with producing a translucent amber jar which matched OXO’s Concentrate Liquid Stock bottles, and solid amber would have been too dark,” explained Adrian Bird, production and development manager at the Chalgrove Plant.
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Friday, February 5th, 2010, (10:33 am)
CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL LONDON’S SOUTHBANK 26TH – 28TH MARCH
The Chocolate Festival returns to Southbank Centre this Easter with even more attractions and special activities. Just in time for Easter shopping, the popular Chocolate Festival runs from Friday 26 – Sunday 28 March.This event will feature an afternoon (Friday 26 March from 2-7pm) of demonstrations by top pastry chefs from some of the best five star hotels and renowned restaurants in the capital, all using Valrhona products in their chocolate infused recipes.
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Friday, February 5th, 2010, (9:42 am)
CHEFS’ SECRET “VERJUICE” IS ROLLED OUT NATIONALLY
Chefs’ favourite secret ingredient finally available wherever you live in the UK Verjuice enjoys a renaissance: out with the new and in with the old in 2010Verjuice (also known as verjus) is found in restaurant kitchens up and down the country. It features in the latest recipes by creative chefs.
Yet, for the rising number of passionate home cooks in the UK, verjuice has been almost impossible to get hold of, unless you have easy access to an incredibly good deli…that was until Verjuice.co.uk officially opened for business in February 2010.
Verjuice is a regular purchase by chefs in the nation’s leading restaurants: not only is it a food flavour enhancer, but it’s the premium alternative to cooking with lemon juice, white wine or vinegars. Providing a unique and subtle taste profile, Verjuice is not a flash-in-the-pan new ingredient: it dates back to medieval times and is made from the unfermented juice of unripe wine grapes.
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Friday, February 5th, 2010, (9:02 am)
WATCH OUT – RELAXATION BEVERAGES ON THEIR WAY!
Innovative Beverage Group Holdings, Inc. is a Nevada-based corporation headquartered in Houston, Texas that engages in the distribution and wholesale of products in the New Age beverage category.The company recently launched its first proprietary product drank(TM). Dubbed the world’s first Extreme Relaxation(TM) beverage, drank(TM) was created to induce a natural calming and soothing effect when consumed.
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Friday, February 5th, 2010, (8:36 am)
PANCAKE DAY AND A LOT OF POLLOCKS
Celebrate Pancake Day in style with these savoury pancakes.The Pollock people say add flakes of smoked wild Alaska pollock, prawns and dill, parsley or thyme to a creamy cheese sauce. Spoon this filling into home made pancakes, sprinkle with freshly chopped herbs and serve with lemon wedges.
We are told that sustainable Alaska pollock is a great eco-conscious seafood choice and available frozen all year round.
Alaska’s long-term dedication to sustainability began 50 years’ ago in the State constitution and has ensured continuous, wild and healthy harvests, and guaranteed that stocks of superior seafood are preserved for future generations.
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Friday, February 5th, 2010, (8:30 am)
ELFY CAMPAIGN FOR BEL’S LEERDAMMER CHEESE
Today Bel UK launches a brand new TV advertising campaign for Leerdammer, the number one selling brand in natural cheese slices.The ad is part of a £3million marketing campaign to raise awareness of the Leerdammer range, including the new 225g block format which launched in December last year and replaced the Leerdammer Original and Lightlife wedges.
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Friday, February 5th, 2010, (7:20 am)
ANOTHER 90M EUROS ON HIGH VISIBILITY SCHOOL FRUIT PROGRAMME!
Two projects to sustain the fight against child obesity presented during the 2010 edition of the Fruit Logistica trade fair in Berlin
Fruit consumption among young people, particularly in schools, is set to receive a boost with the return of a superhero and the far-reaching project financed by the European Union to the tune of 90 million euros.
The news was announced on 4 February 2010 at the Fruit Logistica trade show in Berlin, during the workshop organised by CSO on the theme of “Programmes and activities to promote fruit consumption in Europe and to protect health”.
The session was conducted jointly by Giuliana Keller, coordinator of the School Fruit Scheme for the European Commission, Paolo Bruni, COGECA president, and Luciano Trentino, director of CSO.
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Friday, February 5th, 2010, (12:41 am)
GHANAIN COCOA FARMERS TOUR THE UK FOR FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT
Divine Chocolate, the leading 100% Fairtrade chocolate company owned by cocoa farmers, is delighted to announce a special programme of events across Britain from 22nd February – 8th March to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight. Comfort Kumeah and Kojo Aduhene-Tano, two cocoa farmers from Ghana, will be in the UK not only to tell their own personal stories, but also to broadcast the unique story of how their co-operative (called Kuapa Kokoo) came to own 45% of Divine Chocolate – and the many benefits that ownership has brought to them and their communities. -
Thursday, February 4th, 2010, (10:13 pm)
SPECIALIST BREWERS VOTE FOR MARIS OTTER BARLEY
Maris Otter was the champion barley-of-choice for eight of the last ten winners of the ‘Champion Beer of Britain’, according to research conducted by Robin Appel Ltd, malting barley merchants.Maris Otter was born in the 1960’s from two barley varieties, Proctor and Pioneer, and it soon established itself as the foundation for high quality cask ales.
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Thursday, February 4th, 2010, (11:00 am)
KILNER HAS LAUNCHED A SMART VACUUM WINE STOPPER
The Iconic Kilner company says “Keep opened bottles of wine fresh with Kilner’s new Vacufresh wine stopper. Featuring a clever vacuum pump system that removes air in the bottle, the Vacufresh stopper slows down the oxidisation process, ensuring that your wine will stay fresh for longer.We say that vacuum stoppers have been around for a long time, bu this one is self contained and looks less like an industrial plug!
The company goes on to sahy “The Vacufresh wine stopper is compact, easy to store and really simple to use. Just place the bottle of wine on a sturdy flat surface then firmly push the Vacufresh stopper onto the bottle and pump several times until you feel resistance, which means that the remaining air in the bottle has been removed. Then lock in place for long lasting fresher tasting wine without the waste!
The Vacufresh wine stopper retails from £6.99.
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Thursday, February 4th, 2010, (9:10 am)
SUCCESSFUL RESTAURANTS HAVE WARMTH OF SERVICE
Nearly half of restaurant operators do not evaluate customer service performance, while warmth of service is most likely to attract customer loyalty according to a white paper published by customer experience analysts The Mystery Dining Company (TMDC) today (Thursday 4 February 2010).
The research undertaken by TMDC includes a quarterly benchmark of service standards across the industry (Oct-Dec 2009) that operators can use to assess their own strengths as well as potentially missed opportunities.
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Thursday, February 4th, 2010, (7:48 am)
HUBBUB DELIVERS LOCAL PRODUCE IN LONDON
Hubbub Deliveries, the first local delivery service from independent food shopsA brand new service supporting our local independent food shops has just launched. Hubbub Deliveries is the first service to offer local deliveries from independent food shops and provides a real alternative to supermarket shopping for people who are too busy to get to their local shops themselves during the week.
Customers order online at www.hubbubdeliveries.co.uk from their local greengrocer, fishermen, butcher, baker and many more, and Hubbub delivers everything in one go, at the customer’s convenience.
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Thursday, February 4th, 2010, (6:57 am)
UK ASSOCIATION FOR COLD PRESS OILS LAUNCHED
Newly launched BACPOP – the British Association of Cold Pressed Oil Producers, aims to protect and promote the quality of the home grown premium product whilst also representing British farmers producing cold pressed oils including rapeseed; hemp; flax; strawberry seed; borage and others. These versatile oils are used for both culinary and healthcare purposes.
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Thursday, February 4th, 2010, (6:55 am)
YOUNG’S LAUNCHES NEW RANGE OF HEALTHY READY MEALS
The range consists of 7 recipes, all low in fat with 30% less fat than Young’s standard range of meals and all less than 300 calories per serving. Providing convenience with no compromise on taste, the new products can be cooked in either the microwave or oven. They will add to the success of Young’s existing ready meals range which includes the UK’s best selling ready meal, Admiral’s Pie. -
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010, (8:28 am)
BARAK OBAMA CARVED IN CHEDDAR AT LONDON CHEESE GALLERY
Some of the world’s most famous faces have been recreated in London this week using LowLow cheese. The life-size edible exhibition from renowned food artist and cheese lover Prudence Staite, famous for turning everyday food into works of art, launches in London’s Kings Road Gallery today.“From ‘Dita von Cheese’, to ‘Chedda Cole’, these celebrities embody part of our celebrity culture today,” explains Prudence. ‘Low-bama himself is not averse to tapping into our love of celebrity and the bust I’ve created communicates both his serious and fun lighthearted nature.’
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Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010, (9:30 am)
MOROCCAN-ON LINE COOKERY BOOK PUBLISHED
Following on from the Success of their Little Yellow Cook Book, with over 10,000 downloads, Maroque has launched the Little Orange Cook Book. Packed full of new and inspiring recipes, this volume also looks at entertaining ideas with a Moroccan theme.
Cumin scented crumbles, and winter fruits in ginger sauce or the complexity of fish with dried limes: are examples of the dishes covered.
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Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010, (9:20 am)
AKVINTA VODKA LAUNCHES UPSCALE SENSORY SET
Following an exclusive promotion with Virgin Atlantic the brand will be introducing their sensory set to additional consumers via the retail market at Harrods.The Akvinta Sensory set provides the consumer with a unique experience to bring the senses together and set the scene to enjoy this luxurious and distinctive tasting drink.
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Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010, (8:39 am)
HULA HOOPS SNACKS LAUNCHES HULA HOOPATHON FOR CHARITY
Londoner’s were treated to a hooping spectacular in London’s iconic Leicester Square as Hula Hoops, an official partner of this year’s Sport Relief, launched its nationwide Hula Hoops Hoopathon campaign with adventurer, explorer and one of Britain’s best loved TV presenters, Ben Fogle.Ben was also joined by Hula Hoop record holder and sensational La Clique star, Marawa the Amazing, to encourage the nation to start practicing their hula hooping skills in preparation for setting a new world record at the Flagship Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile events on 21st March.
Ben and Marawa demonstrated their hula hooping skills in a bid to encourage the public to register for a place at one of the 16 Hula Hoops Hoopathons where thousands of people will simultaneously hula hoop across different locations for two minutes to set a new hula hooping record. Ben also became the first of a string of well known faces to rise to the Hula Hoops Two Minute Celebrity Challenge and managed the full two minutes, he will be the first to go up on the official celebrity leader board on www.hulahoops.com
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Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010, (7:30 am)
RETRO SWEET SALES SOAR
Due to an increased appetite for retro treats, Simpkins, the UK’s first travel sweet tin manufacturer, has seen a huge increase in the sales of its established ranges of hard-boiled flavoured sweets, Nipits liquorice pellets, lozenges and sugar-free mints.Simpkins has also introduced an online shop in August last year. This increased sales from August to December 2009 by 45% compared to the first half of the year, and overall monthly sales for 2010 have increased 100% compared with 2008.
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Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010, (7:30 am)
COOL EARTH AND FFI LAUNCH GREEN COFFEE
Cool Earth and FFI team up to launch ‘Green’ Coffee, protecting an endangered rainforest tree with every jar purchasedCool Earth, a registered charity dedicated to protecting endangered rainforests, is launching its own coffee brand which is set to become the most powerful green brand in the supermarket.
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Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010, (7:00 am)
SURVEY OF 2000 WOMEN REVEALS SECRET SCOFFING
“Secret scoffers” revealed as 7m dieters hide naughty food. More than a third of women currently on a New Year’s diet are secret scoffers, it emerged yesterday.
A massive 36 per cent – or SEVEN million – of the nation’s ladies watching their waistline are hiding food or eating it in the dark.
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Monday, February 1st, 2010, (10:00 am)
MORE MACAROONS – IS THIS A TREND?
No it’s not national macaroon week, however Pierre Hermé Paris are bringing their collections of Macarons and Chocolates to the UK.
The collection will be available exclusively in Selfridges London from February 5th 2010. Further plans to open the first Pierre Hermé Paris boutique in the UK are scheduled for later this year.
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Monday, February 1st, 2010, (9:00 am)
MAY 2010 IS NATIONAL MAGAZINES FOOD & DRINK MONTH
In May 2010, 30 Days will launch 30 Days of Food & Drink, the biggest yearly food and drink consumer event held in the UK and the event will be sponsored by Sainsbury’sThe festival will unite the power of the NatMag portfolio including Good Housekeeping, Country Living, House Beautiful, Prima, SHE, Zest, Esquire, Best and Reveal, to celebrate the passions and interests of our readers and offer the food and drink industry an effective platform to drive sales.
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Monday, February 1st, 2010, (8:01 am)
DAIRY INDUSTRY UNITES TO TACKLE JOHNE’S DISEASE
Dairy industry groups, veterinary experts and farmers’ leaders met for the first time this week as part of an industry initiative to fight Johne’s disease.
The Action Group on Johne’s brought together representatives (more…)
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Monday, February 1st, 2010, (8:00 am)
SPANISH GASTRO SITE LAUNCHED
The Tapas Lunch Company Ltd, Surrey-based importers of Spanish food founded in 2005, have launched their latest online gastronomic project – ‘Spanish Food UK’.More than a company blog, the new website is described as a “reference point for the UK Spanish food community”, featuring Spanish recipes, food buying guides, restaurant and delicatessen reviews and constantly updated, hand-selected news from around the web.
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Monday, February 1st, 2010, (7:30 am)
GOOD FOOD GUIDE LAUNCHES iPHONE APP
With independent reviews of restaurants, pubs and cafés across the UK, food lovers have relied on The Good Food Guide for advice on the best places to eat for almost 60 years*.The Guide has just launched a new iPhone application (app) to allow people to find the best places to eat on the move, and give feedback on their dining experiences.
The new iPhone app can automatically determine a user’s location via GPS technology**. No matter where you are in the UK, you’ll be able to search for the best dining options by cost, cuisine type, distance from location or by the rating awarded by The Good Food Guide. Once you’ve chosen your restaurant, you’ll be able to call them or visit their website, and you’ll even be able to find your way there using a Google Map.
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Monday, February 1st, 2010, (7:00 am)
MASTERS OF WINE HOLD OPEN DAYS FOR POTENTIAL STUDENTS
Wine trade professionals will have two opportunities to gain an insight into the industry’s most respected qualification in the coming months.The Institute of Masters of Wine is holding two open days for potential students, one in March and one in May, which will provide an unrivalled opportunity to learn more about what it takes to become a Master of Wine.
On 20th March 2010, the Institute will host its first ever open day, or master class, in Hungary during VinCE 2010 in Budapest, an event which is showcasing more than 100 wines from leading producers in Central and Eastern Europe. It will be hosted by Lynne Sherriff MW, Deputy Chairman of the Institute, and Elizabeth Gabay MW. Then in London, on 17th May, the Institute will host its third annual open day in the UK.
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Monday, February 1st, 2010, (12:59 am)
NIELSEN REPORTS LOWER SALES IN JANUARY
Following a robust December, sales in the U.K. grocery retail sector were subdued in January as the expected post-Christmas lull was further depressed as a result of snow that covered much of the country in January. The grocery sector grew 2.4 percent for the four weeks ending January 23, with grocery multiples faring very slightly better at 2.6 percent.
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Monday, February 1st, 2010, (12:26 am)
GREEN AND BLACKS IS NOW 100% FAIRTRADE
The Fairtrade Foundation welcomed the move by Green & Black’s to switch its entire range of chocolate bar and beverage products to 100% organic and Fairtrade in 30 countries by the end of 2011. The move will open up many new opportunities for Fairtrade farmers in developing countries .
