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

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

New director appointed at construction services company J Tomlinson

Tony O'Toole of J Tomlinson

Construction services company J Tomlinson has appointed Tony O’Toole as managing director of its M&E operation.

The position is a new post and reflects the company’s plan to grow the M&E side of the business.

“J Tomlinson is experiencing a continued period of expansion, and Tony’s appointment reflects our commitment to building on our M&E services. Nationally the M&E sector is starting to show signs of growth, and by strengthening our M&E team we aim to be best placed to expand this division,” said J Tomlinson CEO Mark Davis.

Tony, who was previously operations director at Balfour Beatty Engineering Services for the North West and Midlands delivery unit, is based in J Tomlinson’s head office at Beeston near Nottingham, working across the East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire.

He said: “This is an exciting time for me to be joining J Tomlinson Ltd and to contribute to the strategic goals which will see a sustained growth in both the turnover and profitability of the J Tomlinson Ltd group.”

With more than 30 years of experience within the M&E business, Tony began his career as an apprentice electrician and has since held senior positions within both PLC and privately owned national M&E contractors.

“Tony is a proven leader with hard-core engineering and construction skills, industry vision and the ability to unite people behind that vision, and I am very pleased to welcome him to the J Tomlinson team,” added Mark.

J Tomlinson provides a range of integrated building solutions including construction, refurbishment, repairs and maintenance, mechanical and electrical services (M&E), and facilities management. 

The company employs more than 400 people, and has been growing steadily and sustainably in recent years, with turnover increasing from £54 million in 2014 to £74 million in 2016.

Recently, the firm opened a new West Midlands headquarters after experiencing expansion in the region – transferring its West Midlands base from a site in Birmingham to larger offices in London Road, Canwell, near Sutton Coldfield.

For more information about J Tomlinson, visit www.jtomlinson.co.uk

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