Seoul food Korean influence is becoming more prevalent in foodservice, with Santa Maria’s new range of sauces ideally placed to capitalise.
HEAVEN SENT As one of the fastest-growing and sought-after trends in the UK, it’s an exciting time for Korean cuisine. The blend of bold flavours and vibrant colours is striking a chord with consumers – perfect for Santa Maria. In September, it marked the launch of a range of Korean Sauces into foodservice with a special K-food event at the Duke of Edinburgh in Brixton, in collaboration with Londonbased street food restaurant, Bando Belly. Founder Naz Ramadan worked alongside development chef Santa Maria Foodservice (Paulig Pro), Barnaby MacAdam, to ensure the delivery of vibrant cuisine. Guests indulged in dishes like the
‘Seoul Bad Boy Chicken Burger, which uses a combination of Santa Maria’s Black Pepper Soy Sauce, Kimchi Paste Chili & Garlic, and Red Ginger & Chili seasoning, complete with kimchi slaw. ‘Oh My Goch Chicken Wings’ and ‘K-Tots’/K-Fries’ showcased the versatility of the range. Ramadan said: “At Bando Belly, we’ve developed a signature fusion that blends the vibrant flavours of America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and multicultural London. Our mission is to offer a new-age culinary experience that combines food, drink, music and nightlife with high-end flavours – and our collaboration with Santa Maria is a perfect example. The core belief is ‘we do flavours’, and with Santa Maria’s commitment to offering ‘flavours for professionals’, it feels like a match made in heaven.”
propelled by K-pop bands like BTS, K-beauty brands such as Lagom and K-dramas like the Netflix blockbuster Squid Game. A recent survey found that a staggering 89% of people want to eat more K-food(i). This cuisine is proud yet open-minded, traditional yet creative – a culinary playground with something for everyone to enjoy. “In 2024, we’re seeing consumers crave global flavours, with Korean food emerging as a top choice, due to its ability to blend sweet, spicy and
SPECIAL K “Korean food’s popularity is being fuelled by Hallyu, also known as the ‘Korean wave’, which has been spreading globally since the 90s,” said MacAdam. “It’s a phenomenon which has seen interest in the South Korean culture surge massively. It has been
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