EDITOR’S CHOICE
Tipped for greatness
Every month Fine Food Digest highlights one new product or range selected by editor MICK WHITWORTH. Here’s a recap of his picks during 2013.
March The Black Dog Delicatessen range Lefktro www.lefktro.co.uk
Mick said: “The Black Dog branding wowed us instantly. It’s as non-Mediterranean as you can get and that’s one reason the whole package works: a thoroughly modern-British look for a very unBritish range.”
J a n u a r yFebruary Pork rillette Cornish Charcuterie www.cornishcharcuterie.co.uk
J u ly Wolfy’s Howlin’ Good Porridge pots Kitchen Garden Foods www.wolfys.co.uk
Mick said: “Here’s an unexpected departure by Barbara and Robin Moinet of jam and chutney maker Kitchen Garden Foods. Admittedly, there are already some good quality porridge pots out there but the combo of oats with Kitchen Garden’s own preserves is inspired.”
August
Mick said: “It’s a cracking artisan rillette made from the producer’s own Cornish Lop pork. You might not have seen this brand unless you were at Exeter’s The Source show or shop at Stein’s Deli in Padstow.”
Seaweed water biscuits Stag Bakeries www.stagbakeries.co.uk
Mick said: “Seaweed has been getting trendier for several years but the challenge has been to present it in a way that doesn’t frighten the horses. Incorporating Isle of Lewis seaweed in water biscuits from the same beautiful spot seems like an eminently good idea, and I do like the new packaging they’ve come up with.”
September Sliced salami MAP packs Suffolk Salami
April
www.suffolksalami.co.uk
Mick said: “While many producers are wondering how they can afford to move their sliced meats out of vac-packs (which are far from ideal for thin-sliced lines) and into the better presentation of modified atmosphere packs, Suffolk Salami has just gone ahead and made the switch.”
Natural Cyprus sea salt flakes Falksalt www.falksalt.com
Mick said:“Falksalt combines a suitably ‘speciality’ looking package with enough variants (chilli, rosemary, wild garlic, etc) to let delis offer a good-looking range on-shelf. At an RRP of £2.99 for 125g it will probably go mainstream soon, so grab some while it’s still a novelty.”
M ay Gluten-free cranberry & pecan flapjack Honeybuns
October June Olive & tomato relish Terra Rossa
www.honeybuns.co.uk
www.terra-rossa.com
Mick said: “Honeybuns has now stripped the last traces of gluten from its entire range. I can’t remember what its cranberry & pecan flapjacks tasted like before, but deglutenising (made-up word-alert) sure as hell didn’t do any harm. Moistly sticky with just the right amount of pecan crunch, they tasted freshly made and brought the requisite smile to my face.”
Mick said: “With all Terra Rossa’s usual Middle Eastern herbs and spices, this is much more complex than the name implies. Get some in quickly in case someone magics up a barbecue season.”
House-blend milk chocolate bar with tonka bean Coco Pzazz
NovemberDecember
www.cocopzazz.co.uk
British-grown dried peas and beans Hodmedod’s
Mick said: “I’m a sucker for next-tothe-till impulse gifts, but they're often a triumph of style over substance. Not this range of 80g bars, which are surely worth well over their suggested £3 RRP.”
Mick said: “If you spend as much time in the veg seed section of garden centres as I do (showing my age again) you’ll know why these impressed me when they arrived at Guild HQ. I wasn’t immediately sure whether to eat them or plant them, which I reckon is part of the fun. Should be a winner.”
www.hodmedods.co.uk
FINE FOOD DIGEST BEST BRANDS 2013-14
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