NEW PRODUCTS // #newfood
25 years, new flavours and a shiny Award Purbeck Ice Cream is celebrating 25 years in business making entirely natural ice creams and sorbets, the launch of three innovative new flavours all made with Dorset ingredients and winning the Fresh Ideas Award for the best out of home grocery innovation for one of the new flavours – Dorset Blue Vinny Ice Cream. 25 years ago, Peter and Hazel Hartle farmed 120 acres running 60 head of Friesian cows when the government imposed milk quotas rendering the dairy farm unviable. To stay on the farm, a plan had to be formed pretty quickly and, making ice cream with milk and cream from the farm fitted the bill perfectly. 25 years on, with grim determination, a dedicated and enthusiastic team and a will to succeed, Purbeck Ice Cream is available across the UK firmly putting Purbeck and Dorset on the map. The team have recently launched three unusual new flavours after experimenting with the array of fabulous Dorset foods available and made right on their doorstep using apples, watercress and blue cheese. Apple and Cinnamon is made with apples from the farm. Perfect alone or served with an old fashioned pud, Dorset Watercress is a natural super food grown in Waddock Cross, Dorchester tasting delicious with shredded smoked salmon. And Dorset Blue Vinny is an exceptional blue cheese made at Woodbridge Farm, Sturminster Newton, with an intriguing taste, which is surprisingly good and delicious served with warm poached pears. This particular flavour captured the attention of the judges of the Fresh Ideas Awards who presented the award and commented ‘Great provenance and story, great surprise when tasted, definitely has the wow factor, excellent!’ Chefs sampling it immediately imagined how and with what to serve it as it is incredibly versatile. Everything is made with fun, love and passion by the small and friendly team using fresh guaranteed Purbeck milk, thick Dorset double cream, British sugar and an abundance of only the very best natural ingredients using no artificial additives, no GMOs and no added colours or nuts, everything is gluten free and suitable for vegetarians making this a Great British original indulgence that just about everyone can enjoy.
Contact Purbeck Ice Cream on tel 01929 480090 or visit www.purbeckicecream.co.uk
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Entries invited for 2013 Quality Food Awards Now in its 35th year, the UK’s most prestigious awards for the food and drink industry are ready to receive entries for 2013. The organisers invite all food producers – from the largest multi-nationals, to the smallest artisans – to submit their best products for consideration by esteemed independent judges and the chance to be crowned the best product on grocery shelves. In the current climate of consumer unease, winning a Quality Food Award is an unparalleled opportunity to convey the calibre of your product in a crowded market place. The Quality Food Awards are considered the ultimate endorsement of grocery products on offer to consumers, earning its reputation by the validity of its judging team; a 100 strong panel of food and drink experts comprising chefs, nutritionists, photographers, packaging experts, retailers, writers and food scientists.
Organised by Metropolis Business Media, its publisher Helen Lyons commented, “What sets these awards apart is the impartiality and robustness of the judging process, which rightly sits at the heart of everything that we do at the Quality Food Awards.” The 46 categories range from ambient, through chilled and frozen products; seasonal goods; hot and cold beverages; meals, snacks and confectionary; sweet and savoury items. New for 2013 is a special category for Small Producers. Sponsored by Harrods, the winner of this category will work with the world famous Food Hall, and have their product stocked on its venerable shelves. Entries will be accepted until 28 June 2013, and judging will commence on 5th August. The winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House on 7 November.
Contact The Metropolis Group on tel 020 8253 8707 or visit www.qualityfoodawards.com
Warburtons steps up focus on snacks market Warburtons, the UK’s largest bakery brand, is rebranding its range of snacks, as the business increases its focus on diversification and growth. From March, the baked pitta snacks have been known as ‘Warburtons Escapes’. In May 2011, Warburtons became the first company in the UK to produce Baked Pitta Chips, after investing £5 million in a standalone snacks bakery in Bolton. Since entering the dynamic snacks category, Warburtons’ sales have achieved +175 percent growth YOY Volume growth +175 percent from w/e 4.2.12 – 2.2.13. Net sales value for same period +170 percent growth, and its range has gradually started to build market share alongside other more established brands. The launch of Escapes demonstrates the continued commitment to growth in the snacks category where Warburtons hopes to double the size of its snacks business over the next year to become a £10m retail brand. Attracting new customers to the core bakery range is also a key aim for Warburtons Escapes, which is backed by over £2m commercial investment. Jonathan Warburton, Chairman of Warburtons, comments on the launch:
“The investment in our already popular snacks range demonstrates our long-term commitment to the snacks market and to innovation and diversification as part of our five year growth plan. Focusing on new sectors allows us to reach new customers, while also complementing our core bakery range and the products that families across the UK know and love.” Made from pitta bread and with 45 percent less fat than potato chips, Escapes will be positioned in the Premium Sharing segment, which is worth 29.2 percent of the snacks market Kantar World panel Data 52 w/e 28th October 2012 and is seeing continued growth. They will be available in six flavours and three different pack sizes. The branding is linked to the values of Warburtons’ snacks business, which is grounded in fun and adventure. Martin Garlick, Director of Snacks at Warburtons, adds: “We have set high ambitions for the growth of our snacks business through the launch of Escapes, something that we think is fundamentally achievable thanks to the great tasting range of exciting natural flavours, while being rooted in the brand recognition that comes with the Warburtons family business.”
Contact Warburtons on tel 01204 556600 or visit www.warburtons.co.uk