Members of the BFFF Young Leaders Forum, accompanied by Rupert Ashby, Kathryn Tindall, Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary and Denise Rion from BFFF, were invited to visit Darégal Gourmet in Milly-la-Forêt, France, on 5 and 6 August 2025.

Darégal Gourmet is the world’s number one producer of frozen culinary herbs, with four factories, employing 500 employees, supplying three markets; food industry, food service and retail.

Martin McIlroy, managing director of Darégal, hosted the 2-day visit, ably assisted by members of the Darégal UK and France teams, including Stuart Mills and Kirsty Bell.

 

Seven young leaders made the trip and were treated to a packed itinerary which included a factory tour, presentations, a wonderful dinner and hotel stay, fresh v frozen tasting quiz and a field trip to see parsley being harvested.

On the second day, there was a working group, brain-storming ideas on how to promote frozen food more widely using social media platforms. Ideas generated will lead to a dedicated campaign.

 

Thank you to everyone who participated in this visit. It was incredibly interesting and insightful and, in addition, provided the perfect environment for group members to have professional conversations and make new contacts.

 

Being part of the YLF is a brilliant opportunity to connect across the frozen food sector, working together and learning from other young leaders in a wide range of sectors & positions. Being part of the YLF since the very beginning has been a rewarding experience. Gaining exposure to the different categories in the frozen food sector with each visit providing insights and building a greater understanding of the wider industry.

Over the course of the visits, I’ve seen first-hand the passion businesses have for quality frozen produce, innovation and driving added value. From our visit to Whitby seafood and the Aldi head office to our most recent trip to Darégal, each one has offered a unique perspective on how businesses across the sector are leading with purpose. Darégal  in particular stood out as a perfect example of a leading frozen business, showcasing a proactive people first approach and an impressive integrated supply chain following a field to plate approach. The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility balanced automation with a strong commitment to quality, while the investment in nursery plant genetics highlighted the long-term thinking being applied to secure the next generation of growth.

Lewis Wantling. Chair of BFFF Young Leaders Forum.

 

If you are interested in joining the Young Leaders Forum, or would like to offer the Young Leaders Forum the opportunity to visit your site, please contact Kathryn Tindall: kathryntindall@bfff.co.uk

 

 

The Pastry Room has announced the launch of an exciting new addition to its frozen desserts range – a delicious Gluten Free and Vegan Sticky Ginger Pudding. The product is supplied frozen pre-portioned in trays with a separate Ginger sauce available for Autumn/Winter menus.

 

This rich, warming pudding combines the comforting familiarity of sticky toffee with a punch of ginger spice – all while being gluten free.

 

Ginger has experienced a rise in popularity over recent years, with increased incorporation into functional foods and beverages. This follows a rise in demand from consumers for natural flavourings to replace artificial additives. ^{Source: Business Research Insights.}

 

Since its initial development, the Sticky Ginger Pudding has generated a significant buzz among chefs, with restaurant groups confirming listings for their upcoming seasonal menus.

 

“This is exactly the kind of innovation chefs are looking for – an indulgent, seasonal, gluten free, vegan, easy to serve dessert with a twist building on the popularity of Sticky Toffee Pudding. The flavour profile hits all the right notes for Autumn and Winter, and the feedback so far has been fantastic.”
— John Hendy, Managing Director

 

The pastry Room supplies Gluten Free and vegan mixes across pastry, coatings and desserts directly to professional kitchens, bakeries and food manufacturers.  Whether you’re refreshing your Autumn/Winter menu or looking to expand your gluten free offering, please call us to find out more.

 

For samples and product enquiries, please get in touch with our team today

Oakland International, a leading provider of total supply chain solutions, is celebrating a major milestone after its brand-new facility in Knottingley, West Yorkshire, has been awarded the coveted BRCGS ‘AA’ accreditation on its very first audit.

 

Group Supply Chain Certification & Compliance Manager Louise Smith commented: “This is a fantastic achievement for our Knottingley team. Securing an ‘AA’ grade right out of the gate is a testament to the passion, dedication, and hard work of every single colleague involved. It’s a proud moment for all of us.”

 

The BRCGS (Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standard) is internationally recognised as the gold standard for storage and distribution. Achieving this accreditation, especially at the highest ‘AA’ level, demonstrates Oakland International’s unwavering commitment to food safety, product quality, and legal compliance at every step of the supply chain.

 

Said Louise: “Food safety is absolutely critical in our industry. Achieving the BRCGS ‘AA’ grade not only validates our rigorous standards but also gives our customers and partners total confidence in the safety, quality, and integrity of their products while they’re in our care.”

 

Oakland International stands out as one of the first in its sector to secure BRCGS accreditation across all its depots in the UK and Ireland with AA grades, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted partner for businesses that demand the very best in supply chain management.

 

Louise added: “Earning BRCGS ‘AA’ rating at Knottingley is more than just a certificate on the wall, it’s a clear signal to our customers and supply chain partners that Oakland International is committed to excellence in every aspect of our operations.”

 

A Certified B Corporation, Oakland International is a total supply chain solutions provider and an expert in saving food and non-food products from going to waste via their distress load management service. The company aims to be the first business within its sector to reach net zero. As a specialist and leader in direct-to-consumer services, case consolidation, contract packing, storage and distribution, food tempering, and brand development support for all types of food, Oakland International serves markets across the UK and Ireland.

 

Christmas has come early at Bidfood – and it’s bigger, better, and more rewarding than ever before!

Bidfood, one of the UK’s leading foodservice providers, is making Christmas 2025 even more rewarding for its customers with an exciting lineup of festive offers, early-bird discounts, and the biggest Safari Rewards giveaway to date.

Designed to help operators maximise margins and stay ahead during the busy holiday period, this year’s campaign combines substantial early-order incentives, an extensive seasonal product range, and the biggest Safari Rewards prize draw ever held!

 

Pre-order now and save 10% off Christmas bestsellers

Customers placing their Christmas pre-orders before 24th October 2025 will benefit from an exclusive 10% discount on nearly 100 selected festive lines. Additionally, those who order a minimum of six different products and at least 15 cases from the qualifying range will receive a £50 promo code to use on future purchases.

 

Over 300 Christmas Deals running through November & December

In addition to the early-order incentives, Bidfood will be launching over 300 Christmas Deals throughout November and December, offering exceptional value across its full seasonal portfolio.

This comprehensive promotional push supports operators in delivering festive menus that are both commercially and creatively compelling.

 

Safari Rewards: record-breaking prize draw giveaway

To add extra excitement to the season, Bidfood’s customer loyalty programme, Safari Rewards, is rolling out its largest-ever prize draw giveaway. A total of 6 million Safari Points will be awarded, with 1 million points given to a single winner in each of six prize draws held across November and December.

To qualify, customers simply need to purchase any product from the Christmas Deals range during a qualifying period. All eligible free-trade Safari Rewards account holders will be automatically entered into the draw—one entry per account per draw, with the opportunity to qualify for all six.

Customers must have an activated Safari Rewards account and be part of the eligible free-trade group to participate.

 

Katie Sillars, Head of Commercial Growth Initiatives at Bidfood said:

“At Bidfood we know the pressures our customers face during the busy festive season and understand that margins are tight, and time is critical. That’s why, this year, we’re giving customers the chance to secure 10% savings right now, lock in their stock early, and get rewarded like never before.

“We are delighted to be able to provide some truly fantastic offers from right across the range, helping chefs and operators win this Christmas!”

 

Start saving this Christmas

Combined with its cost saving support, Bidfood’s Christmas 2025 campaign gives customers the tools, prices, and rewards to win big in one of the most important trading periods of the year.With a wide selection of seasonal lines, layered promotional incentives, and meaningful rewards, this Christmas will be one to remember for both operators and consumers.

To find out more, take a look through  Christmas Deals 2025 brochure