Frozen food specialist Central Foods unveils delicious new cappuccino roulade

New cappuccino roulade from Central Foods

A stunning new cappuccino roulade has been launched by frozen food distributor Central Foods for foodservice dessert menus.

The delicious hand-rolled, soft, marbled coffee and chocolate meringue roulade, is filled with mild coffee-flavoured real dairy cream and chocolate flakes.

Free from wheat and gluten, and therefore suitable for coeliacs and those on a gluten-free diet, the cappuccino roulade is also suitable for vegetarians – providing a tasty treat that’s perfect for a range of dietary requirements.

It is the latest roulade in the popular Menuserve range of desserts supplied by Central Foods, one of the UK’s leading frozen food suppliers, and joins mouth-watering flavours that include lemon, mango and passionfruit, banoffee, raspberry and white chocolate, raspberry and hazelnut, Black Forest, and salted caramel.

“The Menuserve roulades are among our most popular products for many reasons, including their appealing presentation, delicious taste, home-made look, and the fact that they are suitable for a variety of diners, including vegetarians and those who avoid gluten,” said Gordon Lauder, managing director of Central Foods.

“With growing numbers of consumers following specific diets, for health, religious or lifestyle reasons, it’s important that foodservice operators cater for all and a product such as the Menuserve roulade is ideal. Frozen straight at the peak of quality and consistent every time, it’s sure to be a winner on any menu, whether that’s in a restaurant, hotel, pub, café or other food service outlet.”

The cappuccino roulade, which comes in a twin-pack with each roulade serving ten portions, contains no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives. Each slice provides a generous plate coverage, giving excellent value-for-money.

The cappuccino roulade has a defrosted shelf-life of two days, if kept chilled.

Central Foods, which is based at Collingtree near Northampton, supplies more than 220 independent wholesalers, as well as larger national and regional wholesalers. It also supplies to foodservice caterers across the entire foodservice industry, including pubs, hotels, restaurants, staff canteens, schools, hospitals, coffee shops, football grounds and universities.

Offering a one-stop shop to the foodservice sector, Central Foods sources products from around the world and the UK, supplying more than 400 different lines, ranging from meat, bakery items and canapés through to buffet products, desserts and puddings.

The company has steadily grown since it was founded 21 years ago, and recently was named for the first time in a report by Grant Thornton as being in the top 100 companies in Northamptonshire. The company was also a finalist in the Family Business United Family Business of the Year Awards 2017 for the Midlands.

For more details about Central Foods, visit www.centralfoods.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based pr company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Frozen food distributor Central Foods engages new executive chef

New Executive chef Paul Hunt

Leading frozen food distributor Central Foods has expanded its team by engaging an experienced chef, who has worked with some of the largest UK foodservice operators and brands in the business.

Executive chef Paul Hunt will be showcasing products supplied by Central Foods and taking part in demonstrations and sampling sessions to help promote the range available.

He will also assist the development of products and recipes for chefs, using items supplied by the frozen food distributor, which will prove popular in foodservice outlets – helping them to grow their restaurants, bar food and other catering and hospitality operations.

In addition, Paul’s new role will help Central Foods to have a better understanding of the needs of the customers of their wholesaler customers – allowing the expanding firm to source and offer exactly what is needed in terms of foodservice products in the future.

Paul, aka The Skinny Chef, is a fully qualified chef who has undertaken recipe development work for key food manufacturers. He has also been responsible for putting food on the tables of high street restaurants and pub brands, as well as developing products for supermarkets in the UK and Europe.

Gordon Lauder, managing director at Central Foods, said: “Paul is extremely passionate about food and is an expert in his field. Not only does he speak the language of chefs, he also has a great insight into what customers want.

“We’re delighted to have him contracted with Central Foods to help us showcase the very wide range of products that we supply, and to develop recipes and products that chefs can be confident will prove popular with their customers, whether they are serving in pubs or bars, restaurants, business catering operations, sporting venues or leisure outlets.

“In due course, we will be uploading recipe videos to our website which we hope will inspire chefs with their menu ideas and highlight some of the latest trends that they can tap into.” 

Paul, who has more than 30 years of experience in food development, preparation and styling, has worked with major supermarkets, restaurant groups, wholesalers and food manufacturers.

Northamptonshire-based, he said: “I am proud and excited that I have been contracted with Central Foods as executive chef. My skill set is varied and includes customer product presentations from food service to wholesalers and manufacturers, menu and recipe development, food and concept development, food styling for photographers and most of all cooking.

“As a leading, long-standing frozen food distributor, Central Foods has an excellent reputation for insight into upcoming trends and for customer service, and I am looking forward to helping the company to build on that by promoting the products they supply and by creating menu ideas that will go down well with their customers and with their customers’ customers too.”

Central Foods, which is based at Collingtree near Northampton, supplies more than 220 independent wholesalers, as well as larger national and regional wholesalers. It also supplies to foodservice caterers across the entire foodservice industry, including pubs, hotels, restaurants, staff canteens, schools, hospitals, coffee shops, football grounds and universities.

Offering a one-stop shop to the foodservice sector, Central Foods sources products from around the world and the UK, supplying more than 400 different lines, ranging from meat, bakery items and canapés through to buffet products, desserts and puddings.

The company has steadily grown since it was founded 21 years ago, and recently was named for the first time in a report by Grant Thornton as being in the top 100 companies in Northamptonshire. The company was also a finalist in the Family Business United Family Business of the Year Awards 2017 for the Midlands.

For more details about Central Foods, visit www.centralfoods.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Frozen food distributor Central Foods expands gluten-free range with new pasta product

New gluten-free pasta from Central Foods

Leading frozen food distributor Central Foods has boosted its free-from range with a new individual portion of gluten and dairy-free penne pasta.

The ready-cooked penne pasta, which is also suitable for vegans and vegetarians, provides a convenient product for chefs and foodservice operators to use either hot or cold.

“The free-from market is huge and growing all the time,” said Gordon Lauder, managing director of Central Foods. “Diners quite rightly expect high quality free-from dishes to be available, and the penne pasta offers a simple and quick way for chefs and operators to create tasty and appealing menu ideas.

“According to the British Frozen Food Federation, 95% of chefs are now stocking and using frozen ingredients and 82% claimed that frozen food could help with long-term menu planning. It’s very useful as a back-up, in case demand outstrips supply, but there are many other reasons why it makes good sense to have pre-prepared frozen items to hand.

“Pre-prepared frozen food is supplied in a consistent shape, size or portion which helps with presentation and cost controls. Being able to defrost and serve just what is required is key to reducing waste and unnecessary costs. It’s also a great idea for operators to have frozen back-up supplies of free-from items to avoid being caught out when customers have specific dietary requirements.”

The penne pasta, which microwaves to reheat from frozen in around two minutes, is the latest in a wide range of savoury and sweet free-from products supplied by Central Foods to the foodservice sector.

With a defrosted shelf-life of five days, the penne pasta is available in packs of 20 x 200g portions.

Central Foods, which is based at Collingtree near Northampton, supplies more than 220 independent wholesalers, as well as larger national and regional wholesalers. It also supplies to foodservice caterers across the entire foodservice industry, including pubs, hotels, restaurants, staff canteens, schools, hospitals, coffee shops, football grounds and universities.

Offering a one-stop shop to the foodservice sector, Central Foods sources products from around the world and the UK, supplying more than 400 different lines, ranging from meat, bakery items and canapés through to buffet products, desserts and puddings.

The company has steadily grown since it was founded 21 years ago, and recently was named for the first time in a report by Grant Thornton as being in the top 100 companies in Northamptonshire. The company was also a finalist in the Family Business United Family Business of the Year Awards 2017 for the Midlands.

For more details about Central Foods, visit www.centralfoods.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Frozen food distributor Central Foods launches its first Red Tractor accredited product

KaterKing Prime Pork Meatballs

Frozen food distributor Central Foods has relaunched its popular KaterKing Prime Pork Meatballs after the product achieved Red Tractor accreditation.

The Red Tractor logo provides added assurance that the food originates from a trustworthy and traceable source – signalling high standards of welfare and food safety and hygiene.

The Prime Pork Meatballs, part of the KaterKing range of meat products and accompaniments, are made with British pork and have been a popular product distributed by the Northamptonshire-based company since 2014.

Last year the company sold almost two million meatballs.

Managing director Gordon Lauder said: “Caterers and foodservice operators include the KaterKing Prime Pork Meatballs on their menus in a range of different dishes from Italian-style meatballs in tomato sauce with pasta to spicy tapas dishes.

“It’s a great-tasting product, made with British meat. But now it has also been given Red Tractor accreditation, which means added assurance for our customers and for their customers too. 

“Red Tractor is the UK’s biggest farm and food standards scheme, and is a vital signpost for consumers looking to eat quality UK food. The accreditation is something that restaurants, pubs, hotels, bars and other outlets can highlight on their menus.

“The Red Tractor logo also signifies support for British farmers.”

The KaterKing Prime Pork Meatballs are suitable for all types of caterers to use in a range of recipe dishes such as topping pizzas, filling sub rolls or pitta pockets or as part of tapas sharing-style platters.

Central Foods, which is based at Collingtree near Northampton, supplies more than 220 independent wholesalers, as well as larger national and regional wholesalers. It also supplies to foodservice caterers across the entire foodservice industry, including pubs, hotels, restaurants, staff canteens, schools, hospitals, coffee shops, football grounds and universities.

Offering a one-stop shop to the foodservice sector, it sources products from around the world and the UK, supplying more than 400 different lines, ranging from meat, bakery items and canapés through to buffet products, desserts and puddings.

The KaterKing Prime Pork Meatballs, which are supplied ready-cooked, are free from MSG and hydrogenated fats. To cook from frozen: pre-heat oven 200°C (Fan assisted), place meatballs on a baking tray and reheat for 8 mins (turn the meatballs halfway through cooking time to ensure even cooking). 

For more information visit www.centralfoods.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Central Foods celebrates its 21st birthday by being named in top 100

Central Foods receives award from Grant Thornton

Frozen food distributor Central Foods has been named as one of the top 100 performing businesses in Northamptonshire for the first time.

The firm, which this year is celebrating its 21^st anniversary, has been awarded a place in the Grant Thornton Northamptonshire Ltd Top 100 Companies for 2017 report.

“Central Foods has previously been named in the top 200 companies in Northamptonshire on a number of occasions, but this is the first year that we have been included in the top 100 – reflecting our continued growth and development as a business,” said managing director Gordon Lauder, who runs Central Foods with wife Alison.

“Now in its fifth year, the Grant Thornton report has become a key event in the county’s business calendar and the team at Central Foods is delighted that we have now, for the first time, progressed into the top 100.

“Our company was founded in Northamptonshire 21 years ago and began its life, as many do, in a very small-scale way from our home. We are very pleased and proud to have steadily grown the business to become the significant contributor to the local economy that it is today.

“Our committed, hard-working staff ensure they go over and above what is required to service customers’ requirements and this has undoubtedly been a factor in our growth and success, and I’d like to thank them for their support.”

Central Foods, based at Collingtree near Northampton, is one of the UK’s leading frozen food distributors, supplying more than 220 independent wholesalers, as well as larger national and regional wholesalers. It also supplies to foodservice caterers across the entire foodservice industry, including pubs, hotels, restaurants, staff canteens, schools, hospitals, coffee shops, football grounds and universities.

Offering a one-stop shop to the foodservice sector, Central Foods sources products from around the world and the UK, supplying more than 400 different lines, ranging from meat, bakery items and canapés through to buffet products, desserts and puddings.

Grant Thornton director Mike Hughes said: “We are pleased to announce that Central Foods Limited is featured in the Northamptonshire Ltd Top 100 Companies for 2017.

“According to the Northamptonshire Ltd Report, businesses in the county are performing strongly in terms of growth compared to the rest of the UK and this is set to continue. The report, conducted by Grant Thornton, analyses the financial performance of the county’s leading privately owned companies in the county.”

Mike, along with Grant Thornton associate director David Stone, recently presented an award to Central Foods to mark the company’s achievement.

Northamptonshire Ltd is compiled using the most recent publicly available accounts (as at April 2017) of the county’s 100 largest privately owned companies based on turnover and with their principal trading address in Northamptonshire. It encompasses companies with revenues of around £12 million to more than £600 million.

The report identifies the three top sectors in the county by turnover as food, drink and leisure, automotive and motor retail, and industrial and manufacturing.

For more details about Central Foods, visit www.centralfoods.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham-based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

You batter believe it! Staggering statistic from Central Foods on American pancake sales

A stack of pancakes supplied by Central Foods

Sales of American pancakes supplied by frozen food distributor Central Foods have shot up in recent times thanks to the popularity and versatility of the product.

Ahead of American Independence Day on 4^th July, the company has revealed that more than five million individual pancakes were sold in 2016, which, if laid end to end, would reach 6,500 times the height of the Statue of Liberty.

Over the past five years, sales of the pancakes have grown an amazing 74.3%.

Central Foods managing director Gordon Lauder said: “American pancakes are a really popular product in the UK. They are versatile, can be used for sweet or savoury items, and are perfect for meal occasions throughout the day. It takes just minutes to defrost and serve them.

“We knew the Crepe Cuisine pancakes were going down well with foodservice operators but we were staggered when we realised just how many we’d sold during 2016.  

“The trend for American pancakes shows no sign of waning and we’re expecting customers to continue tucking into them for the foreseeable future.”

Pancakes are a great fit for several of the 2017 food trends.

“They tap into the comfort food trend - known as the taste of yesterday trend, providing memories of childhood, and in these uncertain political times, it’s a trend that’s going down well in foodservice,” added Gordon.

“Another of the trends for 2017 is an upsurge in the use of sweet versions of savoury products and savoury versions of sweet products, so it’s something that imaginative operators can consider with pancakes, which provide a great base for different toppings.”

Offering a one-stop shop to the foodservice sector, Central Foods sources products from around the world and the UK, supplying more than 400 different lines, ranging from meat, bakery items and canapés through to buffet products, desserts and puddings.

As one of the UK’s leading frozen food distributors, the Northamptonshire-based firm supplies more than 220 independent wholesalers, as well as larger national and regional wholesalers. It also supplies to foodservice caterers across the entire foodservice industry, including pubs, hotels, restaurants, staff canteens, schools, hospitals, coffee shops, football grounds and universities.

For more information visit www.centralfoods.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Celebrity chef Cyrus Todiwala creates serving suggestions for Butt Foods’ new artisan sourdough recipe naan

Cyrus Todiwala

Specialist baker Butt Foods has launched a new naan bread that’s lighter and more bubbly than ever before in response to trends for premium and new wave Indian food dining experiences.

The Baked Earth artisan sourdough recipe naan benefits from a live cultured sourdough with a long fermentation process to improve flavour and texture – creating a naan bread that’s bubbly, soft and suitable for a range of meal applications throughout the day.

The company commissioned celebrity chef and former BBC Food Personality of the Year Cyrus Todiwala OBE to develop a range of uses for the artisan sourdough recipe naans to illustrate the flexibility of the flat breads. He has created a selection of serving suggestions for the naans that show the real versatility of the product which go far beyond the traditional side-of-plate application and which highlight just how many options chefs have to be creative with this new concept in naan breads.

“Naan is brilliant – it’s such a versatile bread. Just use your imagination and the world lies at your feet,” said Cyrus, who has a broad portfolio of restaurants, running Café Spice Namaste, Mr Todiwala’s Kitchen at Heathrow T5, Assado London and The Park Café.

Available in 6 inch and 4 inch sizes, the new naans are perfect for restaurants, hotels, bars and other food service operators, such as street food vendors, that are committed to serving up top quality naan breads, as well as the growing number of new wave contemporary Indian eateries that are offering dining options from breakfast through to evening. 

As a result of its special composition, the Baked Earth artisan sourdough recipe naans can be topped, filled, folded and wrapped, and the serving suggestions created by Cyrus include hand-held ‘sliders’, pizza-style topped naans, foldovers and wraps, and cover meal occasions including breakfast and brunch, snacks and main meals. 

Ideas include Bombay-style minced beef burritos, Indian-style roasted vegetable pizzas and Jungli chicken wraps.

Videos of the dishes created by Cyrus and filmed in the development kitchen of his Café Spice Namaste restaurant in London are available to watch for free on the Butt Foods website in Chef’s Corner. 

Butt Foods has been baking naan breads for more than 25 years, having introduced authentic frozen naan to the foodservice market in 1991. Its latest naan is a light and bubbly Indian bread baked with yoghurt, with toasted kalonji and cumin seeds adding a nutty flavour, made from the company’s unique recipe.

It has been developed in response to its research into the changing UK Indian restaurant scene, which shows the increase in exciting new wave eateries that offer various degrees of all-day dining, depending on location, with menus to suit. 

“New Indian food is moving away from traditional curries into a world of new flavours, snacks and small plates, different presentation and extended meal occasions. We’re very pleased to be launching our Baked Earth artisan sourdough recipe naans, which are really something very special and which have been created to provide restaurants and other eateries with a tasty naan bread that’s both versatile and flexible,” said managing director of Nottingham-based Butt Foods David Williams.

“Our market research has shown a new wave of Indian restaurants bringing exciting new flavours and formats, and we believe our range of Artisan sourdough recipe naans are perfect for these outlets which are providing an alternative experience for diners.

“We were delighted when, in independent research, our product outscored the leading foodservice competitor on taste and texture.” 

The artisan sourdough recipe naan is made from a natural process that takes up to ten days from starter through to mother dough, mature dough and then final dough. No raising agents mean a more natural product and better flavour, with pure butter ghee adding colour and taste.

The Baked Earth artisan sourdough recipe naans are available frozen through Central Foods.

Cyrus, the 2014 BBC Food Personality of the Year, was born and brought up in Bombay. In his bastion Cafe Spice Namaste, Cyrus is known for his refined, elegantly spiced and sophisticated cooking. He has cooked for royalty, presidents and international celebrities and is often invited to be a guest chef at food festivals and hotels from Dubai to Durban, and all across the United Kingdom.

For more information about Butt Foods, to see its latest trend reports or the videos featuring menu ideas created by Cyrus, visit www.buttfoods.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Cherry on the cake for specialist baker Butt Foods on winning award

David Williams of Butt Foods and David Ratcliffe of Brakes

A quarter of a century of supplying a leading food wholesaler with bread has been topped for specialist baker Butt Foods after the company was awarded the title of Desserts and Bakery Supplier of the Year at the Brakes Supplier Conference.

The Nottingham-based company, which supplies flatbread, naans, sub rolls and other speciality breads to the food service sector, received the award from Brakes Group for a range of reasons, including 100% level of supply, stock and logistics innovation, market leading insight and new product development, as well as being praised for having a helpful team.

“Pardon the pun, but it really was the cherry on the cake to receive the award from Brakes, a wholesale company that we have had links with for almost the entire history of Butt Foods and who source from more than 2,000 suppliers,” said Butt Foods managing director David Williams.

“Our company was founded in 1990, and the following year began supplying naan breads to Brakes – dealing with the original founding Brake family. The business relationship has continued since then, as both companies have developed, and we are thrilled to have been named the Desserts and Bakery Supplier of the Year at the Brakes Supplier Conference.”

Family owned Butt Foods, which prides itself on keeping abreast of trends and developing new products to satisfy consumer demand in a fast-paced industry, produces hand-finished frozen sweet and savoury bakery items, used by a range of outlets from restaurants and hotels to pubs and cafés.  

Brakes is the UK’s biggest food distributor, and also supplies to Ireland, France and Sweden. The group sources and supplies a range of more than 50,000 fresh, ambient, chilled and frozen foods, including more than 4,000 own-brand products and a wide range of non-foods.

Butt Foods is one of more than 2,000 suppliers from around the world that the group deals with.

For more information about Butt Foods, visit www.buttfoods.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based pr company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

New commercial manager at frozen food distributor Central Foods

Neil Cooper of Central Foods

Frozen food distributor Central Foods has appointed Neil Cooper to the newly created role of commercial manager.

The position has been created as part of the company’s continued expansion plans and growth.

Central Foods managing director Gordon Lauder said: “Central Foods has been experiencing steady and sustainable growth over some time, working with a growing number of clients and supplying frozen food to an increasing number of wholesalers and food service operators in the UK and around the world.

“Neil’s appointment strengthens our team and will support us, as we build on that success.” 

Neil joined the Northamptonshire-based company from foodservice provider Bidvest, where he held the position of buyer, with responsibility across a number of key product categories. He brings with him a broad range of knowledge and experience within the catering leisure industry, including FMCG, gained from experience in many areas of business and industry, and purchasing including food and non-food categories.

He said: “I am very pleased to have become part of the team at Central Foods – a company that is really focused, offering a point of difference and highly regarded within the frozen food distribution sector and the foodservice industry in general.”

Central Foods, which is based at Collingtree near Northampton, supplies more than 220 independent wholesalers, as well as larger national and regional wholesalers. It also supplies to foodservice caterers across the entire foodservice industry, including pubs, hotels, restaurants, staff canteens, schools, hospitals, coffee shops, football grounds and universities.

Offering a one-stop shop to the foodservice sector, it sources products from around the world and the UK, supplying more than 400 different lines, ranging from meat, bakery items and canapés through to buffet products, desserts and puddings.

Central Foods has been regularly named in the annual Grant Thornton Northamptonshire Ltd report which highlights the growth of the top 100 privately owned businesses in Northamptonshire, and was ranked as one of the 200 fastest growing companies in the East Midlands in the 2015 Grant Thornton and CBI report, the most recent available, which highlighted growing organisations. 

The company is due to mark its 21^st anniversary in 2017. For more information visit www.centralfoods.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk