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The gold standard.. company wins two more esteemed awards

The gold standard.. company wins two more esteemed awards

A SMOKED salmon company has capped off an extraordinary year by winning two gold medals at the International Taste Awards.

The Italian-based awards recognise the finest foods from across the globe and are judged by independent professionals from the food and beverage industry. All products are blind tasted.

Grants Oak Smoked, which is based in Maryport, Cumbria, scooped two gold medals.

Its Traditionally Smoked Rope Hung Scottish Salmon won gold, as did its Traditionally Cured and Smoked Tzar Cut Salmon.

Grants, which was established in 1983, supplies smoked salmon to hotels, restaurants, retailers and food companies across the globe.

Its founder, Jonathan Brown, said: “These two gold medals are a terrific early Christmas present and cap off an astounding year for us.

“2019 saw us win a three star Great Taste Award for our Grants Traditional smoked salmon, which also won Good Housekeeping magazine’s Christmas Taste Test.

“Our Rope Hung smoked salmon won another Monde Gold Award and was the only independent smokehouse product to get the Good Housekeeping Taste Approved honour.

“Furthermore, we became the only smokehouse in the UK to hold the international BAP accreditation which promotes the highest standards in aquaculture and seafood production.

“Such awards are testament to the principles of quality the business was founded on, and prove using the very best salmon and smoking it the traditional way, over real oak chips, is a recipe for outstanding success.”

Grants Traditionally Smoked Rope Hung Scottish Salmon pays homage to the oldest traditions of the craft. Hand selected fish are cured in sea salt and then rope hung by the tail in a brick kiln. They are then smoked over oak chips from Scottish whisky barrels. The smoked salmon is then left to rest before being hand sliced.

Grants Traditionally Cured and Smoked Tzar Cut Salmon is the tenderloin fillet from individually selected fish.  The “Tzar cut” gets its name from being the historical preference of Russian Tzars as it is most tender and succulent part of the fish.

The salmon is traditionally cured and then cold smoked over real oak chips. The tenderloin is then hand cut from the fish.

Mr Brown added: “Winning so many awards in 2019 proves we continue to lead the industry in producing smoked salmon which is not only the finest tasting, but which is also responsibly sourced and produced.

“We are proud to export our smoked salmon right across the globe from our premises at the edge of the Lake District, and these awards reflect the care, professionalism and commitment of everyone who works at Grants.  We look forward to further success in 2020.”

Wholesaler Philip Dennis Foodservice expands operations

Wholesaler Philip Dennis Foodservice expands operations in the West Midlands

The family-owned business has acquired new premises in Dudley

Independent wholesaler, Philip Dennis Foodservice, has invested £1.5 million in a new transport and warehousing depot in the West Midlands.

With depots in the South West, Oxfordshire and Midlands the business has invested heavily in its infrastructure and people over the last 12 months in order to support its ambitious growth plans.

The purchase of the new premises on Shaw Road, Dudley comes as the company is seeing a significant increase in its foodservice business particularly across pubs, restaurants, hotels, schools and coffee shops.

Lisa Vermeulen, Regional Sales Manager for the Midlands, said: “This is a very exciting time for the business. We’ve invested heavily in this new depot as we’ve seen a large increase in demand for Philip Dennis products within the area. The business has experienced rapid growth in recent years, and we wanted a base in the West Midlands that would allow us to offer an increased level of service to our customers.”

The location of the new premises also offers easier access for the company’s distribution fleet. Philip Dennis Foodservice Logistics Manager, Lyndon Didlock, said: “We’re always looking to improve the level of our delivery service and with the central location of the new depot we can now manage our fleet much more effectively.”

Philip Dennis Foodservice is a member of the Caterforce buying group and supplies a full range of foodservice products including groceries, frozen and chilled food, as well as a range of non-food items such as cleaning solutions and environmentally friendly food cartoons. It also offers bespoke butchery and fishmonger services through its Dennis Family Butchers and Dennis Family Fishmonger companies.

For more information visit www.philipdennis.co.uk or contact enquiries@philipdennis.co.uk

 

Take Five with Stir it up’s Key Trends for 2020

Take Five with Stir it up’s Key Trends for 2020

 

Stir it up, the customer trade magazine published by the Country Range Group, has revealed the five key trends it believes will drive significant change across all sectors of the foodservice industry in 2020 and beyond.

 

The five key trends identified, which will be published in the Group’s Stir it up Magazine Trend Guide 2020/21 and made available online in a PDF format in the next few weeks, are titled Children of the Revolution, A Change of Pace, TRIBE, An Alternative Reality and Sustain, Regain & Connect.

 

Alongside the five key trends highlighted, the Trend Guide will also delve deeper into Generation Alpha, a new group within the Generation of Change section, as well as looking at five micro trends making a macro impact including Tokyo 2020, The Roaring 20s, The Science of Food, Wild for West Africa, The Non-Alcoholic Happy Hour and FOMO Turns to JOMO.

 

Five Key Trends to Look Out for in 2020

 

Children of the RevolutionChild and adult roles have flipped, with Greta Thunberg addressing some of the world’s most influential leaders, cutting through the red tape of nay-sayers and inspiring an entire movement of children across the globe to stand up and fight for what they believe.  Whether it’s to stop the extinction of certain species, the demand for a better lifestyle or increased opportunity and equality, young people are no longer accepting their fate they are fighting for their future.

 

A Change of PaceThe increase of smart technology may have made us more efficient in many ways, but it is also creating cross-generational burn out.  A heady combination of speed and impatience which are imbedded in our lives along with the multitude of products, adverts, social media and app alerts are vying for our attention.  The result is a wave of mental and physical health issues, which can only be combatted by slowing the pace down.

 

TRIBEThe connection between humans and the need for us to form an alliance or ‘tribe’. The types of alliances we form have evolved significantly but the overarching need to belong and identify with others of a similar mind-set is still strong. There is no doubt that we are living through a period of substantial change, the potential for conflict amongst nations, cultures and neighbours has risen which is causing unrest and anxiety in many people.   Tribes offer friendship, fun and learning at a time when people are yearning for community, a place where they can unite and feel secure.

 

An Alternative RealityThis is a discussion around the increase in consumers seeking an ‘escape’ from their day to day busy device filled lives which can be linked to the current ‘political hellscape’. Consumers are increasingly seeking experiences over commodities and these experiences are manifesting into methods of escapism; for the travel and leisure sector, they mean niche market locations and personalised luxury and off-the-grid getaways, for Gen Z it could mean escape into technology such as gaming and social media or extreme sports and for the care sector it can mean a chance to take a step back in time, revisiting a past filled with warm memories and nostalgia in a dementia care immersive pop-up experience.

 

Sustain, Regain & ConnectAfter millions tuned in to watch the second series in the acclaimed Blue Planet documentaries, the sense of responsibility for reducing waste and pollution weighs heavily on the nation’s shoulders.  This burden for sustainable lifestyles is felt no more so than with Millennials, Gen Z and Gen Alpha who are looking at an uncertain future for themselves and their children.

 

The announcement coincides with a fresh and exciting rebrand for the Group’s Stir it up Magazine which will see a new logo and design to the magazine introduced from January 2020. The magazine continues to be a must read for caterers and chefs and is read by over 50,000 people in the industry.

 

Emma Holden, Marketing Manager of the Country Range Group, said:

 

“With the new year fast approaching we’re thrilled to reveal the five trends which we believe will take hold of the foodservice and catering industry in 2020. The trends form a key part of our Stir it up Magazine Trend Guide 2020/21 and is a valuable resource and business booster for chefs and caterers across all sectors. With our industry moving at such a fast pace it’s vital caterers stay ahead of the competition and use every resource possible to improve year on year.”

 

About Stir it up

 

Stir it up is the trade magazine produced exclusively for the customers of the member wholesalers of the Country Range Group and has been supporting and inspiring the independent caterer for over ten years. Stir it up is published 10 times a year and includes the latest food and industry news as it affects the education, health and welfare, hospitality sectors of the independent catering industry.

 

Alongside the trade magazine, a promotions brochure is produced 11 times a year providing Country Range Group member wholesaler customers with strong price promotions across a range of Country Range brand and branded products. Stir it up also publishes in-depth trend reports and sector specific guides to support and inspire caterers across all sectors of the foodservice marketplace.

 

Website: www.stiritupmagazine.co.uk

Twitter/Instagram: @stiritupmag

 

About the Country Range Group

 

With over 25 years of heritage servicing the UK and Ireland’s innovative foodservice sector, the Country Range Group is made up of 13 independent wholesalers – Birchall Foodservice, Blakemore Foodservice, Caterite Foodservice, Creed Foodservice, Dunns Food and Drinks, EFG Foodservice, Harvest Fine Foods, Henderson Foodservice,  Savona Foodservice, Savona Foodservice South West, Thomas Ridley Foodservice, Trevors Foodservice and Turner Price.

 

In addition to offering the leading brands from around the globe, the Group also provides over 800 products, all developed exclusively for professional caterers under the Country Range brand. Covering grocery, chilled, frozen and non-food, Country Range is widely recognised by caterers as a trusted and reliable brand delivering consistent quality and value for money without compromising on taste and flavour.

 

The DUKES, a Proper British Chip that is a cut above the average!

Lamb Weston launches ‘The DUKES, a Proper British Chip that is a cut above the average!

It’s the moment the entire country has been waiting for – discerning citizens rise up and prepare to rejoice in this great British occasion as Lamb Weston launches ‘The DUKES’, elegantly exciting, perfect pub chips – with chips this good, one can see why the British started queuing!

Allow us to introduce to you The Dukes of Chippingdom – Proper British Chips.  Distinctively natural, gloriously golden, royally rustic, thick-cut chips – made from 100% British potatoes – The Dukes are more British than a British bulldog in a union jack waistcoat, spiffing!

We all know that everyone loves chips, and none more than pub goers; more than half (56.2%) of pub dinner occasions include chips, fries or wedges as a side, and chunky, thick-cut chips are the most ordered potato product in pubs*.

In a recent consumer test^ almost 40% declared their love of chips as a side, more than 60% said they prefer skin-on in a pub, and a whopping 72% said they are willing to pay a bit more in a pub for a British sourced product.  The most important attributes of a chip were cited as having a crispy outside, being thick cut with a fluffy inside and a having a hand-cut appearance.

Enter, The DUKES!  

Brought to you by innovative global leader, Lamb Weston, The DUKES are super tasty, irregularly thick cut to appear homemade and distinctive in character.  With gloriously golden edges, and a richly rewarding taste, Dukes will grace every plate with a guarantee of quality that’s as firm as a gentleman’s handshake.

These little beauties have been irregularly cut, with feathered, golden edges.  They are beautifully crispy on the outside – even though they’re non-coated – fluffy on the inside, are available with skin-off and skin-on, and they’re ready to make their grand entrance, gracing pub plates across the land.

So come on, let’s make this chip nation proud!  Be upstanding and make some noise for The DUKES!  So far, they have already earned their place in the Craft Guild of Chefs highly esteemed Product Endorsement gallery, with an above average rating, they are Red Tractor certified and gluten free.

These are like no ordinary chips; they are the ultimate quintessentially British menu item with a proud and distinguished British heritage.  100% satisfaction guaranteed.  Chippingdom’s finest creation are proper pub chips, cut from British potatoes.

Step aside, pretenders to the throne, make way for the Proper British Chip.  The DUKES are remarkably reliable, fabulously fry-able, marvellously moreish and British, through and through.  Characterful in their cut, they’re fluffy and light, yet as reliable as a gentleman’s character and as crisp as his tailoring.

* LW research 2019 & MCA Eating Out Panel 2018

^ Consumer survey, 9th September 2019, London. 42kg of chips sampled with 310 consumers

For innovative ideas, recipes and potato inspiration, head over to www.lambweston.eu/uk , call 0800 963962 or email us at salesUK@lambweston.eu

Brakes and The Matthew Tree Project serve Christmas lunch to those in need in Knowle, Bristol

Brakes and The Matthew Tree Project serve Christmas lunch to those in need in Knowle, Bristol

National foodservice business, Brakes, teamed up with The Matthew Tree Project to bring some festive cheer to disadvantaged families and individuals in Knowle on 18th December 2019.

The initiative saw professional chefs from Brakes cooking up a Christmas meal in support of local charity The Matthew Tree Project.  The Brakes Food Truck was at Filwood Broadway from 11.30am to 1.30pm and served a Christmas-themed menu including:

•    Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
•    Warm crusty roll filled with Turkey Ballontine, Pigs in Blanket, Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Roast Potato & Gravy
•    Homemade Quorn Roast with Honey Roasted Parsnip (vegetarian)

(l to r) Marc Thursby and Barrie Nash from Brakes, alongside Mark Goodway, CEO of The Matthew Tree Project

This is the latest stage in a partnership that has seen Brakes, which employs around 500 people at its Portbury depot, donate food, providing around 5,000 meals of the 8,000 meals that The Matthew Tree Project distributes each week.

Mark Goodway, CEO of The Matthew Tree Project, said: “While the vast majority of us look forward to the season of cheer and festivities, the sad reality is that, for so many, this Christmas will be overshadowed by misery, isolation and hunger.

“We are delighted that our partnership with Brakes provides hunger relief to so many individuals and families – not just for Christmas, but throughout the year.”

The Matthew Tree Project helps those in need by providing a week’s worth of food groceries, enough to feed the whole family, in exchange for a voucher from a referring agency (referrers include local schools, Citizen’s Advice, Children’s Centres, Health Centres, Council support services and over 90 others).

Barrie Nash, Brakes’ Environmental Manager based at its Portbury depot, who helped organise the event, said: “As a food business, we understand the role food can play in bringing communities together and, as a result, aim to leverage our experience in the food industry and our resources to help provide hunger relief in our communities.  It is an absolute privilege to support The Matthew Tree Project, a terrific organisation providing a much-needed service to several local areas across Bristol.”

Over the past year, The Matthew Tree Project has reported the number of people requiring its services has doubled and the organisation has struggled to increase food supplies to meet the growing need.  It has now called on other food businesses to follow Brakes’ lead and work with them to support vulnerable people.

Mark Goodway said: “Sadly the situation is getting worse for so many people which presents a massive challenge for us. We have never turned anyone away and this is only possible because of the dedication and compassion of the team, and the support we receive from our amazing partners like Brakes.

“This week we are delighted that Brakes sent its Food Truck to our Support Centre in Knowle to cook up a fabulous hot Christmas meal for our clients when they visit,” Goodway continued. “Being able to do things like this for our client group is so important – sprinkling a little bit of joy into what are often such challenging life situations plays a key role in helping to give people hope for a better tomorrow.”

Caterforce appoints senior buyers as Group continues to grow

Caterforce appoints senior buyers as Group continues to grow

Buying Group adds buyers from Unitas and The Co-operative Group as well as a Financial Controller and Assistant Buyer

Foodservice buying and marketing group, Caterforce, has appointed two experienced buyers to support its head office operations in Macclesfield.

Peter Saunders and Matthew Leyland bring extensive experience to Caterforce having worked in the foodservice industry for a combined 40-years. Peter joins from Unitas and Matthew from The Co-operative Group and Morrisons where he has spent 15 years.

Working with key stakeholders they will deliver the buying plan for Caterforce’s wholesale members. They will also be implementing and developing category plans to support member growth.

Gary Mullineux, interim Managing Director at Caterforce, said: “I’m extremely happy to welcome Peter and Matthew to Caterforce. To be able to attract two individuals with their level of experience is testament to the work we’re doing. Our members will benefit significantly from their expertise and we look forward to working with them.”

As well as the appointment of Peter and Matthew, Caterforce has announced the appointment of Clare Greensmith as Financial Controller and Hayley Bowker as an Assistant Buyer.

Gary continued: “At Caterforce we’re passionate about investing in people and this is an extremely exciting time for the business. The additions of Peter, Matthew, Clare and Hayley will only strengthen our already outstanding team. We want to continue to build on our recent successes and I have no doubt that these new hires will help us achieve that.”

Caterforce has experienced significant growth over the past 12 months. At its recent biennial conference the company announced a 9.1% increase in turnover for 2019 and predicted revenue in excess of £600 million by 2021.

For more information visit www.caterforce.co.uk

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