Catering@Booker Issue 15 - April 2024

CATERING @ BOOKER

PERSONAL TOUCH

CASA RONI OFFERS UNIQUE TWISTS ON A CLASSIC ITALIAN THEME

PRICES LOCKED ON 600+ PRODUCTS, GET PERSONAL WITH PIZZA, NEW WINE RANGE,

AND EASY

COVER SHOT

From its name to its décor, Casa Roni features an array of unique touches which set it apart.

Paul Turner, Alf Turner Butcher Shop, Aldershot

“Booker customers bought more than 1.1 million bags of Alf Turner Pork Scratchings last year helping us to raise more than £278,000 so far for the Help for Heroes charity and I’d like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to everyone who stocked them.”

Richard Harris, The Original Rosslyn, Edinburgh

“The business has always played a key role in the local community but after the challenges of Covid 19, we wanted to focus harder than ever on service and the creation of an immersive and memorable experience for all of our customers.”

Graham Kennedy, Bells Fish and Chips, Durham

“We class ourselves as an ‘a la carte’ fish and chip restaurant and we strive to offer a first-class dining experience. I’m a very firm believer that if you’re going to do something, you do it to the highest standard possible.”

get in touch with Catering@Booker Email:Catering@booker.co.uk

NEWS

More than £5bn is spent on pizzas every year and 80% are bought from pubs, restaurants and takeaways. By elevating your pizza menus with personalised toppings options and by considering some modern twists on the classics, you can drive more spend per serve and more profit for your business.

7 Lockdown bonanza Booker is locking down pricing on more than 600 products all the way through until 28 May.

9 Help for Heroes Booker customers have helped raise more than £278k by buying Alf Turner Pork Scratchings.

PROFILES

14 Casa Roni Unique offer setting Italian and Turkish-themed restaurant apart.

18 The Original Rosslyn Edinburgh inn has a heart and a whole lot of history.

23 Bells Fish and Chips Durham business taking fish and chips to a new level.

FEATURES

28 Pizza Grow spend per serving by offering personalisation options and fresh twists.

34 Wine Booker unveils new wine range that pairs perfectly with gourmet fast food.

PRICE

39 Locked Down Pricing More than 600 products locked down until 28 May.

SERVICE

49 Summer serves Add excitement and profit to your drinks menu the easy way.

REGULAR

44 Meet The Team – Head of Sustainability Cath Marston in the spotlight.

PIZZA

BOOKER NEWS BOOKER LOCKS DOWN PRICING ON OVER 600 LINES

UNTIL

With summer on the horizon, Booker is locking down the pricing on over 600 lines to help customers plan their menus with confidence and lock in profits.

LOCKDOWN BONANZA

Booker is helping its catering customers plan ahead with confidence with its latest pricing lockdown which sees the prices of over 600 lines guaranteed all the way through until 28 May.

Despite the continuing economic uncertainty that besets the industry, the latest lockdown lets caterers plan ahead with locked-in profi ts as the vital summer sales period approaches.Prices have been locked down in all key product categories from meat and fi sh to vegetables, bakery, soft drinks, alcohol and non-food.

The lockdown covers a huge range of own-brand products as well as an extensive array of branded lines, helping caterers deliver the quality and value that their customers expect while also securing their own

profits. As well as locking down hundreds of prices, Booker has also secured new, lower prices on dozens of key lines across a number of important product categories.

Also featured among the lockeddown prices is a range of brand-new lines to help drive excitement and interest. These include lines such as McCain’s Potato Pops, Echo Falls Watermelon and Kiwi, Bottega Gold and Mahou beer.

The 600+ products included in the pricing lockdown cover all major product categories, including:

and interest. These include lines

Bottega Gold and Mahou beer.

 Meat

 Fish

 Vegetables

 Deli

 Bakery

 Hot beverages

Additionally, many Group Exclusive products have been added to the lockdown, helping caterers set their businesses apart from the competition by offering a unique range.

 Grocery

 Glassware

 Crisps and confectionery

 Soft drinks

 Alcohol

 Hygiene

from the competi-

 Non-food

INDUSTRYNEWS

BOOKER CUSTOMERS HELP DONATE £278K TO HELP FOR HEROES

Booker customers have helped family butcher Alf Turner raise more than £278,000 for the Help for Heroes charity through sales of the company’s Pork Scratchings.

Booker customers bought more than 1.1 million bags of Alf Turner Pork Scratchings last year, helping raise much needed funds for the Help for Heroes charity which provides lifelong support to Service Personnel and Military Veterans with injuries, illnesses and wounds sustained while serving in the British Armed Forces.

Created by the family-run Alf Turner butcher’s shop in Aldershot, the home of the British Army, Alf Turner Pork Scratchings have proven to be a big hit with Booker customers, helping generate revenue for the charity with every pack sold. To date, the Alf Turner products have raised more than £278,000 in donations.

The business is run by Paul Turner, the grandson of Alf Turner, a butchery instructor who served in the Royal Army Service Corp for nearly 20 years and who opened a butcher’s store in the town in 1956.

“My grandad basically bought a house, knocked out the front window and turned it into a butcher’s shop,” Paul told Catering@

Booker. “We’re still in the same shop today more than 60 years later. In 2012 I decided to launch our award-winning sausages

nationally and were lucky enough to secure investment from Peter Jones on Dragon’s Den, and he’s still involved today. I then decided that, being located at the home of the British Army, we should support Help for Heroes and launched our Pork Scratchings with a direct donation from the sale of every pack going to the charity.

“Booker were kind enough – and sufficiently impressed with the quality of the product – to list in over 130 branches. We now sell over a million bags a year through Booker and we are approaching £300,000 of donations to Help For Heroes.

“We’ve been on TV, we’ve done ads with actor Ross Kemp and we’re very busy on social media – but it’s all for a fantastic cause and I like to think my Grandad would be proud. I would also like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to Booker customers who bought Alf Turner Pork Scratchings. Not only are they getting a fantastic product, they are helping support men and women who risked their lives to protect our country."

PUB SPEND CONTINUED TO GROW IN FEBRUARY DESPITE CHALLENGES

Pub, club and bar spend continued to rise in February, despite challenging conditions, according to the latest monthly Barclays Consumer Spend Report.

February was one of the most challenging months for a while, with total consumer card spending rising just 1.9% year-on-year (YOY), significantly behind the official inflation rate at the time of 4.2%, the smallest growth since back in September 2022.

Despite that, pub, club and bar spend continued to grow in the month, albeit by only 1.1% YOY, also the lowest monthly growth level seen since September 2022. Those are two of the key findings from the latest monthly Barclays Consumer Spend Report, which combines hundreds of millions of customer transactions with consumer research to provide an in-depth view of UK spending.

Restaurants also endured a much tougher month,

down 13.4% YOY in February, having fallen 11.6% YOY in January. The report also highlighted how more consumers than ever are becoming aware of online ‘drip pricing’ with 36% saying they had seen examples of added extra and hidden charges at the checkout when spending online. This is most frequently spotted when paying for food delivery services (39%).

More positively, consumers’ confidence in their ability to spend on non-essential items reached its highest point since November 2021 in February, at 59%. Similarly, concerns about inflation and rising household bills also softened to 84%, the most positive figures for more than two years, indicating that easing inflationary pressures are having a positive impact on household finances.

‘USE EXTRA CASH TO SUPPORT HOSPITALITY’

The Scottish Government is set receive around £295m in additional funding through the Barnett formula and is being urged to use it to provide support to the hospitality sector.

Leon Thompson, Executive Director of UKHospitality Scotland, said: “With support for business the glaring omission from the Scottish Budget, it’s imperative that the additional £300m in funding for the Scottish Government is used to support hospitality.

“Our sector is the beating heart of Scottish culture and a major part of our tourist offer on the world stage. I would urge the Scottish Government to implement this as a matter of urgency.”

GROW YOUR MARGINS WITH THE UK’S NO.1 BRANDY

THREE BARRELS SPRITZ

50ml Three Barrels

50ml Apple Juice

100ml Prosecco

Glass: Copa / Wine

Method: Build

Garnish: Mint Sprig

THREE

Why not try a Three Barrels Spritz, or use Three Barrels for your Brandy & Coke bar call? After all, no one asks for a Cognac and Coke.

THREE BARRELS COKE

50ml Three Barrels

125ml Coke

Glass: Highball

Method: Build

Garnish: Orange Wedge

BUDGET FAILS TO DELIVER VAT REDUCTION FOR HOSPITALITY

The Government’s March Budget contained several positives for the trade but conspicuously failed to deliver a reduction in the 20% rate of hospitality and tourism VAT.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s recent March Budget delivered a number of positives for the hospitality and pub trade but failed to deliver a much sought after reduction in VAT for hospitality and tourism.

Trade bodies and business owners have long campaigned for a reduction in the 20% headline rate but the Chancellor was clearly not

BUDGET: IN A NUTSHELL

 Alcohol duty freeze extended until February 2025

 National Insurance for employees cut by 2% to 8%

 VAT threshold for small businesses now £90k (from £85k)

persuaded of the importance and urgency of a cut in VAT for an industry desperately in need of support.

In his Budget, Hunt confirmed that the freeze on alcohol duty which had been due to end in August will continue until February 2025, commenting: "We value our hospitality industry and are backing the great British pub.”

National Insurance was cut by 2% from 6 April, from 10% to 8% for employees and from 8% to 6% for the self-employed with Hunt commenting that the average employee would be £450 better off a year.

The VAT threshold was tweaked with the amount small businesses can earn before having to register for VAT raised from £85,000 to £90,000 from April.

INBRIEF

CALLS FOR BLANKET EUROS EXTENSION

Business owners and trade associations are telling the Home Office that a blanket relaxation of licensing hours for the semi-final and final of the Euros will benefit football fans and businesses alike.

The Home Office is proposing a blanket relaxation of licensing hours if any of the qualifying home nations reach the semi-final or final of the men’s 2024 European Championships.

Licensing hours for these games are proposed to be extended to 1am in England and Wales, which will be particularly important for any games on a Sunday, including the final. On Sundays, many venues are only licensed until 10.30pm.”

THE PERSONAL TOUCH

From its name to its menu and décor, Casa Roni features an array of unique touches which set it apart.

From its name – inspired by his firstborn son – to its unique dishes and décor, Baris Coskuncay’s Casa Roni restaurant features an array of deeply personal touches that help it to stand out from Liverpool’s competitive catering scene.

Established back in 2021 on a prominent corner of the busy and buzzing Mather Avenue, these personal touches have seen Casa Roni build up a large and fiercely loyal customer base and rave reviews about its “fabulous” food and “excellent” service. Casa Roni’s inimitable offer features a winning mix of classic Italian dishes and Turkish specialities, as well as an array of bestselling house specials – totally unique to Casa Roni.

“There’s a lot of competition nearby but we really do set ourselves apart with our unique menu, which offers a blend of classic Italian dishes as well as Turkish specialities,” Baris explains. Bestselling main courses include classic Italian pizzas – with a Casa Roni twist; such as

THE LOWDOWN

CASA RONI

Location Liverpool

Format Italian restaurant

Caterer Baris Coskuncay

Covers 100

Staff 10

Social media 1,600 Facebook followers

The Inferno – a hot and spicy offering starring Italian peperoni and chilli – as well as The Casa Roni – which features goats cheese, caramelised onion and fresh rocket. Much-loved meat dishes include oven-roasted lamb shanks and the ‘Roni Special’ – pan-fried chicken or beef, topped with mushrooms, peppers, onions, garlic and mozzarella before being oven baked to melting perfection for an RSP of £18.50.

Turkish classics include the Grilled Kofte – chargrilled tender meatballs and grilled steak shish – steak on skewers served with tortilla bread, rice, yogurt and mint sauce for £22.50. “We’ve also added additional interest to the menu with the introduction of a number of salt

BARIS' SPECIALS BOARD

WINNING MIX

Casa Roni's menu features a winning mix of classic Italian and Turkish dishes to set it apart.

ON THE HOUSE

The menu also includes a number of unique house specials such as the Casa Roni Pizza and the Roni Special.

QUALITY MATTERS

Much of Casa Roni's meat comes from Booker, including the quality Black Gate steaks which Baris says are exceptional.

and pepper dishes which is a big trend in Liverpool,” Baris adds.

“It’s not a prominent flavour in our cuisine but it’s important that we reflect local trends too. I was very clear from the start that Casa Roni would be a venue that catered to all and welcomed all – and that’s exactly what we are doing.”

As a result, main course options also include Salt and Pepper Chicken and Salt and Pepper King Prawns –battered jumbo prawns with garlic, onion, chilli, salt and pepper and seasoned rice for £17.50. Casa Roni’s indulgent dessert menu, meanwhile, includes classic Italian favourites such as Tiramisu, priced at £5.45 and Affogato, as well as on-trend options such as Biscoff Cheesecake for £6.65.

The venue’s unique décor also sets it apart. “We established Casa Roni in an old building, which features a lot of exposed brick and a stunning high ceiling, and we’ve worked really hard to maintain that rustic feel,” Baris adds. The old building’s rustic interior has been enhanced with the use of natural wood, lush foliage and twinkling lights to create a beautiful and atmospheric feel.

Customers can enjoy their meals on the ground floor, or up on the cozy first-floor balcony under a striking vaulted ceiling and dark wooden beams. Service is another big differentiator. “Our warm and exceptionally welcoming service is another big point of difference,” Baris explains.

“We try our very hardest to offer each and every customer an experience they will remember and will always try to accommodate personal requests. “We do offer home delivery, but the restaurant side is our main focus because we love to deliver that personal experience; our high levels of customer service are without doubt a huge driver of loyalty.”

TRENDWATCH

CASA RONI, LIVERPOOL

Salt & Pepper

“Salt and pepper is a big trend in Liverpool so even though it’s not a classic Italian or Turkish flavour we felt it was important to reflect it in our menu,” Baris says.

Main course options include Salt and Pepper Chicken and Salt and Pepper King Prawns – battered jumbo prawns with garlic, onion, chilli, salt and pepper and seasoned rice for £17.50.

Speaking of loyalty, Casa Roni is also a very loyal customer of Booker’s. “We buy a really wide range from Booker – from flour to risotto rice, pasta, dairy products, most of our fresh fruit and vegetables, plus dessert ingredients,” says Baris. “We also buy most of our meat products from Booker, including our sirloin and ribeye steaks, as well as the lamb for our lamb shanks.”

The steaks come from Booker’s Blackgate range, which Baris says offers “excellent” quality. “It can’t be beaten in my opinion,” he adds. “I receive two deliveries a week, but I also visit Booker’s Liverpool branch a couple of times a week. “Like Casa Roni, it’s a great place to be, the service is fantastic and there’s always something new or special to set it apart.”

ORIGINAL & BEST

The Original Rosslyn is an inn with heart and a whole lot of history.

From its significant battleground to its dramatic castle, creepy caves and market cross, the village of Rosslyn near Edinburgh has a deep and fascinating history.

Chief among its rich historical treasury is also the stunning 15th century Rosslyn Chapel – whose fame hit new heights in the early 2000s after featuring in Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code.

And then there’s Dolly – the sheep who shot to fame as the first mammal to have been cloned from an adult cell – just down the road at the Roslin Institute. The village also features a striking old inn, The Original Rosslyn, established back in 1837.

THE LOWDOWN

THE ORIGINAL ROSSLYN

Location Rosslyn, Edinburgh

Format Licensed family inn

Caterer Richard Harris

Covers 250

Kitchen staff 7

Social media 6.4k Facebook followers

In 1973 the Harris family became the inn’s latest custodians and for the last 50 years they have strived to cement The Original Rosslyn as a place that not only celebrates the village’s past, but also, as a place where local people can come together, create new memories and write the next chapter of Rosslyn’s history.

Day-to-day operations at The Original Rosslyn are now managed by a third-generation Harris – Richard – who in recent years has worked to create ‘Hospitaleity,’ a clever initiative designed to bring Rosslyn’s rich history to life with engaging stories and tales.

TRENDWATCH

THE ORIGINAL ROSSLYN, EDINBURGH

Premium Sides

Richard has added value to The Original Rosslyn’s menu with a Premium Sides offer which customers love. Featuring Salt and Pepper Squid and Macaroni Cheese, the new offer is basically starters by another name – but as Richard explains, customers are more likely to order additional Premium Sides than another starter.

“A couple enjoying a nice dinner are unlikely to order more than two starters between them, but they will probably be happy to order one or two ‘Premium Sides’ to share along with their mains."

As part of the initiative and in celebration of the family’s 50th anniversary, a series of 50 engaging videos were created about the inn, some of its treasured customers, and various local points of interest. The videos can be viewed on The Original Rosslyn’s social media accounts, as well as via QR codes fitted around the inn’s atmospheric interior, allowing customers to explore at their leisure.

The Hospitality initiative also saw the creation of a new ‘cocktale’ menu designed “not just to provide customers with a tasty drink but also to celebrate Rosslyn’s local history”. Cocktales can be enjoyed in the atmospheric snug bar, the conservatory or in ‘The Crypt’ bar, newly decorated and established in the oldest part of the building.

“The idea was that every cocktale would tell a story,” Richard explains. “Our most popular cocktale is The Shagpile – basically a Pornstar Martini which we’ve named in homage to the old carpet factory that used to be based in Rosslyn.”

Food is another of The Original Rosslyn’s key USPs, with its diverse menu designed to showcase the best of Scottish ingredients and flavours. The main menu has been designed for broad appeal with some ‘Firm Favourites’ including Bangers and Mash – Cumberland

sausages served on a bed of black pudding mashed potato for £13.99 and Homemade Steak and Scottish Ale Pie for £16.99. Burgers are also a top seller, with options including The Clansman which features a Booker- bought Wagyu beef patty and haggis for £15.99.

RICHARD'S SPECIALS BOARD

IMMERSE YOURSELF

The Original Rosslyn provides an immersive experience with QR codes linking to historical videos.

toFAMILY AFFAIR

The menu has been designed for broad appeal with added interest from Specials and Premium Sides.

QUALITY IS KING

Quality products and attention to detail are central to the Original Rosslyn's offer.

“The salt and pepper squid from Booker is fantastic. We served it at the customer party we held when we celebrated our 50 years, and it went down a treat,” Richard explains.

Additional interest is brought with a monthly Specials menu, with February’s Specials including a top-selling Wild Mushroom Spring Roll starter featuring crispy tempura mushrooms. “When it comes to the food, quality is everything,” Richard explains. “It’s tough out there at the moment – and if customers are choosing to spend their hard-earned cash with you, then you have to make sure that they leave feeling that it was worth every penny. We are meticulous about how we deliver everything.”

More than 90% of the Original Rosslyn’s stock comes from Booker, including the meat for its burgers and homemade pies, most of its store-cupboard and dessert ingredients and most of its spirits and wines.

Inspired by Booker’s “great quality frozen salt and pepper squid” product, Richard has also just added

Freshly cooked breakfasts are also available to residents of the inn’s seven newly decorated ensuite bedrooms. Last year, the Harris family also invested in the creation of a new family garden at the rear of the inn, featuring a woodland trail for children to enjoy while parents relax. “We have a more adult-oriented seating area outside the front of the pub so there’s a space for everyone,” Richard adds. “Families are important to us at The Original Rosslyn. Once a quarter, we put on a family party for the local community. We want this to be a place that people can come with family and friends to have fun and make memories – or as we call them, ‘moments, chapters and bookends’. “We’re so grateful to be part of this wonderful village and its incredible history and we hope to remain so for many more years to come,” Richard concludes.

CATCH OF THE DAY

Customers are hooked on Bells’ quality fish and chip proposition.

Fish and chips: the iconic newspaper-wrapped dish is a firm British favourite. However, there’s one fish and chip business in Durham where products aren’t served in newspaper headlines – they ARE the headlines – and for all the right reasons.

Owned and operated by chef Graham Kennedy, Bells Fish and Chips has leapt from its roots as a small fish shop in Marshall Terrace, Gilesgate, to a six-venue business employing 120 staff that offers customers the very finest fish and chips around.

So fine in fact that March 2023 saw Bells Fish and Chips win two highly prestigious awards at the National Fish and Chip Awards – with both accolades receiving widespread coverage in the local and national trade press.

THE LOWDOWN BELLS FISH AND CHIPS

Location Framwellgate Moor, Durham

Caterer Graham Kennedy

Format Restaurant

Covers 100

Staff 30

Opening hours 11am-8.30pm

TRENDWATCH

BELLS FISH AND CHIPS, DURHAM

Gluten free and combos

“Gluten free is such a big deal now and we offer a range of gluten-free alternatives so that customers who can’t eat gluten don’t miss out.

"If you have one person in a family of four who is gluten intolerant you could easily lose the whole table, so by offering a gluten free choice we know that we can allow the whole family to enjoy fish and chips together. We’re also noticing a rise in demand for sharing formats and combo platters which allow people to try lots of different tastes and textures on one plate.”

Its flagship site in Framwellgate Moor was established just over five years ago in a former car showroom.

At more than 10,000sq ft, ‘The Fram’ – as it’s affectionately known by locals – features a destination 100-seat licensed restaurant with ample parking, close to local shops and attractions.

“With booth-style seating and quirky fixtures and fittings, ‘The Fram’ has the warm and welcoming feel of an American diner and is an especially popular choice for families –and a destination for family get-togethers and special occasions,” Graham explains. “Fish and chips is also a fantastic multi-age product, everyone loves it from toddlers to great grannies.”

But it’s the quality and attention to detail that really sets Bells’ proposition apart.

“With Bells, quality is a given,” Graham says. “I’m a very firm believer that if you’re going to do something, you do it to the highest standard possible. We class ourselves as an ‘a la carte’ fish and chip restaurant and we strive to offer a first-class dining experience.”

With Bells selling more than 78,000 portions of fish and chips a week, it’s clearly succeeding in doing so.

Bells’ famous fish and chip offer includes a range of choices, from plaice to haddock, lemon sole, seabass, salmon and of course cod – all of which is cooked to order how customers like it, from battered to grilled, pan-fried or poached.

In line with the trend towards social sharing, an increasingly popular choice is also the Bells Fish Combo Platter which costs £15.95

and includes scampi, spicy prawns, plaice goujons and white bait.

At 10,000sq ft, ‘The Fram’ also doubles up as Bells’ main food preparation hub and distribution centre. “We cut and process all our fish here and then distribute it out to the other sites,” Graham says.

“We also handmake our own fresh fishcakes here using all the lovely fish trimmings and we chip all of our own potatoes,” he adds.

Mushy peas are also made fresh in-house every day.

While fish and potatoes for chips are sourced from dedicated merchants, almost everything else comes from Booker, from salad ingredients to sauces, dairy products, dessert components, cleaning products, takeaway packaging and much more.

GRAHAM'S SPECIALS BOARD

ALL IN THE DETAIL

Consistency is key and being consistently excellent is what we strive for.

UNIQUE TWISTS

Families are really important to us. We have a dedicated children's menu and children are catered to with colouring books and crayons.

SEASONAL SWITCH

Customers are hooked on Bells' quality fish and chip proposition.

Away from fish, the Bells menu also includes a number of other British favourites, such as Sausage and Chips, Cheeseburgers, and Steak Pies, the bulk of ingredients for which are also sourced through Booker.

“I’ve been a Booker customer for more than 37 years and we now spend around £20,000 a month with Booker if not more,” Graham says.

“The quality is great and the prices and offers are excellent, meaning that we often buy in bulk.

“The delivery side of things is another major bonus.

“All our Booker deliveries used to come to Framwellgate Moor and we’d then distribute the stock out to our other sites but, because we now get so much from

Booker, we’ve just put a new system in place so that each individual site receives its own delivery. Our CDM has worked so closely with us to implement this new system. It’s proving to be a great success and is driving huge operational efficiencies, so we’re especially delighted.”

Customers are also delighted with Bells’ offer.

“So much of our business is repeat business,” Graham adds. “Thanks to our quality, consistency, and high levels of service, we have an incredibly loyal customer base.

“People around here don’t say: ‘I’m going for a fish and chips,’ they say: ‘I’m going for a Bells,’ which I think says it all.”

So do we.

Summer Drinks

Iced teas and coolers are a great way to improve your profit margins, being sold for more than £3.70 at coffee shops in 2023.

Get creative by blending with ice and water, mixing with alcohol or topping with soda or tonic for a fizzy twist.

With 83% of people ordering an iced beverage in 2023, these are a must have option for all drinks menus!

Essence -IAL

BAKES

Enhance your baking effortlessly with the natural flavourings of Simply Essences. Elevate classic cakes, cookies, and frosting with subtle yet lasting flavour. Vanilla adds a timeless taste to your cupcakes and rainbow frostings, whilst our nutty almond essence offer a delicious twist to biscuits and pastries.

GRAB A BIGGER SLICE OF THE ACTION

Four out of every five pizzas sold are from pubs, restaurants and takeaways – so is it time to take a fresh look at your range and see if you can grab a bigger slice of the action by going beyond basic classic pizzas?

When it comes to satisfying, delicious and quick dishes, there’s nothing quite like pizza to fit the bill – and the stats bear that out. In the UK, more than £5bn is spent on pizzas every year and 80% of those are sold in pubs, restaurants and takeaways. And while your customers may be deeply in love with arguably Italy’s most famous export, there’s also a lot to love about them as a business owner and caterer: they’re quick and easy to prepare and they can deliver fantastic profit margins and cash profit.

Pizzas are also one of the most classic of dishes that seem to have been purposefully created to be shareable, a characteristic that can come in really handy when big, hungry groups arrive keen to be served quickly with filling, delicious food. This is especially important around events like the forthcoming Euro 24 Finals for instance where, if you are showing the matches live, you are likely to see parties arrive together and all want to eat at the same time without wanting to divert their eyes from the action on the TV screen as they eat.

GET PERSONAL

Sales of £5bn a year demonstrate clearly that pizzas represent a massive opportunity – but there’s clearly scope for building on that solid base, particularly when it comes to growing spend per serve.

Yes, you can comfortably get by with a basic menu with Margarita and Pepperoni classics, but QSR data shows that pizza customers are increasingly looking to personalise their pizza with specific toppings, rather than just ordering straight from the menu.

This isn’t a complicated option to offer and adds very little to the preparation time but the extra margin you can squeeze out of added-cost toppings can help quickly elevate your profits, especially if you are selling a lot of pizzas already. The QSR data shows that almost half (47%) of customers want to be able to add extra toppings, or already do – so there’s a ready market for margin-boosting topping options.

TASTY TOPPING OPTIONS

Chef’s Larder

Sun Dried Tomatoes

960g M236856 £11.79

Charcuti Spanish Diced Chorizo 1x500g M202046 £6.49

Charcuti Pizza Pepperoni

1x1kg M288106 £8.99

Charcuti Classic Salami

1x500g M282505 £4.99

Chef’s Larder Sliced Green Jalapeños

1x2.95kg M238189 £5.99

Gomo Nduja Paste 1x800kg M289337 £15.99

Gomo Pitted Nocellara Olives 1x3.2kg M290152 £21.49

Roquito Chilli Pepper Pearls

1x793g M289367 £6.49

The top five toppings are, probably unsurprisingly, extra cheese, chicken, pepperoni, onions and mushrooms. So that’s probably a good starting point for a new ‘additional toppings’ menu, but why not liven it up and appeal to more exotic tastes by adding any number of fantastic toppings you can order hassle free from Booker?

How about Spanish diced chorizo, salami, pesto verde or nduja paste? Or really spice it up with jalapeños, chilli pepper pearls or

perhaps a mini menu of olives like Halkidiki or Nocellara. The options are effectively limited only by your imagination and the tastes of your customers, but one thing is for sure: every topping added means more profit for you.

GET CREATIVE

Another great option to add fresh zest to your pizza menu is to introduce some simple, quick twists to boost interest and sales. Stuffed crust pizzas can help take a simple dish to the next level while creative

TASTY TOPPING OPTIONS

 £5bn is spent on pizzas every year in the UK

 80% are bought from pubs, restaurants and takeaways

 47% of people want to add extra toppings

TOP 5 PIZZA TOPPINGS

 Extra cheese

 Shredded or chopped chicken

 Pepperoni

 Onions

 Mushrooms

solutions like pizza sandwiches can really help make your pizza menu stand out from the crowd. Don’t forget to cater for the growing number of vegetarians and vegans out there by offering at least one option for each on your pizza menu.

And the best thing about all of these toppings, twists and tweaks is that they take seconds to do for your kitchen team but can make a world of difference to your profits.

TAKE GOURMET BURGERS AND HOTDOGS TO A NEW LEVEL

Gourmet fast food is enjoying a purple patch at the moment with a wave of high-end takes on classic burgers, hot dogs and more – and what better way to accompany these dishes than with a new range of wines specifically designed to pair with them?

While classic fast-food dishes like burgers and hot dogs have long enjoyed immense and widespread popularity, recent years have seen more and more gourmet versions of these classic dishes appear on menus – and customers can’t seem to get enough of them.

The beauty of gourmet burgers and dogs is that, not only do they elevate the dining experience for the customer with new depths of flavour and taste, they also offer endless opportunities for caterers to grow margins and spend per serve.

What to drink alongside these evolved dishes, however, has never been an easy nut to crack. Many wines just don’t hold up to the bold flavours of a stacked burger or a pulled pork-topped hotdog and not everyone is looking for a Coke to go with their meal.

That’s exactly the opportunity that Booker has addressed with the launch of a range of wines specifically designed to go with gourmet fast food.

The fantastic new range even allows caterers to add suggested wines alongside the dishes on the menus, safe in the

PAIRING SUGGESTION

CARNIVOR ZINFANDEL

6x75cl M292348 £44.99

SERVED WITH Blackgate Signature 8 Aberdeen Angus Burgers 6oz/170g M259803

Chef’s Larder Premium Gourmet Burger Buns 180g M281539

knowledge that the wines will pair perfectly with the unique nature and characteristics of the food.

BURGER BUDDIES

Sell a lot of burgers? Then Booker has what you need. Take the appropriately named Carnivor Zinfandel. It’s a big, bold,

PAIRING SUGGESTION

GREASY FINGERS

LUSCIOUS

RED

6x75cl M293302 £39.99

SERVED WITH

Chef’s Larder Premium 8oz Gourmet 90% Steak Burgers 24x227g M195772

Chef’s Larder Premium Gourmet Burger Buns 180g M281539

Monterey Jack Cheese Slices 300g M281463

blended Zinfandel that has been created to perfectly match up to a juicy burger and other red meat dishes. Layered with notes of dark cherry, blackberry jam, and perfectly toasted oak, it’s available at just £44.99 for a case of six.

Equally well named is the Greasy Fingers

PAIRING

SUGGESTION

GREASY FINGERS BIG BUTTERY CHARDONNAY

6x75cl M293299 £39.99

SERVED WITH Chef’s Larder American Style Chicken Fillets 24s M129982

St Pierre 4 Brioche Burger Buns 4s M276842

PAIRING SUGGESTION

RIB TICKLER CABERNET SAUVIGNON

6x75cl M291916 £44.49

SERVED WITH Chef’s Larder 5 Jumbo Frankfurters 750g M289816

Baker Street 4 Jumbo Hot Dog Rolls 180g M239746

BBQ Pulled Pork 400g M292024

Luscious Red which is a mediumbodied, fruit-forward blend of Shiraz and Grenache that has bags of luscious cherry and strawberry fl avours and soft, approachable tannins. It’s available at just £39.99 a case.

Another cracking wine to set a burger off perfectly is the Finca La Anita Malbec, also at £39.99 a case. Its rich, silky texture is chock full of cassis and blackcurrant fruit with hints of chocolate, vanilla and black pepper.

WHITE KNIGHTS

Not everyone wants the traditional red wine with their burger, of course, which is why the new range includes some great

PAIRING SUGGESTION

FINCA LA ANITA MALBEC

6x75cl M291803 £39.99

SERVED WITH Paragon Basics 4oz Economy Halal Burger 48x113g M282704

Baker Street 6 Burger Buns Pre-Sliced 6s M035041

Chef’s Essentials 112 Burger Slices 1.4kg M153102

white options too.

The Greasy Fingers Big Buttery Chardonnay is a big and bold white wine, as the name implies, with refreshing fl avours of peach, vanilla and cinnamon spice as well as that buttery mouth feel that works so well with burgers. At £39.99 a case, it’s also a great-value option.

Another Chardonnay worth considering from the new range is the Finca La Anita with intense aromas of banana, pineapple, pear and melon and complex flavours of coconut, vanilla and a touch of honey.

Again, it’s just £39.99 a case.

PAIRING SUGGESTION

FINCA LA ANITA CHARDONNAY

6x75cl M291802 £39.99

SERVED WITH The Fat Chef Bangkok Bad Boy Burger 12x150g M231214

Chef’s Larder Premium Gourmet Burger Buns 48 M281539

HOT STUFF

If gourmet hot dogs are among your most popular dishes, why not suggest a couple of great wines from Rib Tickler to your customers?

The Cabernet Sauvignon is bold and juicy with characteristic blackcurrant and wild berry notes and some sweet vanilla oak while the Shiraz is spicier with ripe juicy fruit and pepper spice as well as moreish vanilla. Both are available at £44.49 a case.

Offering suggested wines alongside your gourmet fast food dishes can really help turbocharge spend and profits – and now you have the range available to do just that.

OVER 600 PRICES LOCKED DOWN

Booker is helping you plan your menu with confidence and lock in profits by holding the price of over 600 products until 28 May.

With summer on the horizon and a world of opportunities opening up, Booker is helping you get ahead of the game and plan your menus in confi dence with locked-in profi ts by guaranteeing the pricing on over 600 products – all the way through to 28 May. Prices have been locked down in all key product categories from meat and fi sh to vegetables, bakery, soft drinks, alcohol and non-food.

Everything you need to ensure the next few months are as

table as possible for your business is here. Below is a small selection of the over 600 locked down prices available now.

IMPECCABLE TAST E IS WONDERFULLYREFRESHING

Hendrick’s is still the #1 Premium+ Gin, with 23.6% Value Share meaning

1 in 5 Premium Gin Serves are Hendrick’s Gin*

Hendrick’s Flora Adora 70cl

6 x 70cl M286599

1 x 70cl M286602

Hendrick’s Gin 70cl

6 x 70cl M196510

1 x 70cl M196542

Head to Booker marketplace via booker.co.uk

COMING TO BOOKER MARKETPLACE SOON

Deliciously Fruity

Enticingly Floral

HOVIS SIMPLE WHITE LOAF

1X800G

M282514 99P

CHEF’S LARDER SKIN ON FRIES

4X2.5KG

M248235 / M248236

£14.99 PER 10KG

CHEF’S LARDER COD GOUJONS

1X2KG M289172

MÜLLER SKIMMED/ SEMI-SKIMMED/ WHOLE MILK

1X2LTR

M060337/M212311 /M212331

CHEF’S ESSENTIALS 10 PACIFIC SALMON FILLET

1X1KG

PEPSI MAX

24X330ML M290372

CHEF'S LARDER PREMIUM SUPER CRISP GOURMET FRENCH FRIES

4X2.5KG M182763

CHEF’S LARDER PETITS POIS

1X1KG

M426370

£3.09

LICHFIELDS ITALIAN ESPRESSO BEANS

8X1KG M212519

1X1KG M132756

MCCAIN POTATO POPS

PERONI NASTRO AZZURRO

24X330ML

*88P PER BOTTLE

* Scottish WSP 24x330ml

BUY TWO FOR

5X2.5KG

M292787

1X2.5KG M292788

PROSECCO SPUMANTE DOC EX DRY/ROSÉ SPUMANTE

6X75CL

M143786/M292679

*Prices and products are correct at time of going to print and are not guaranteed unless stated, errors expected. Subject to changes without prior consultation. Recipes, serves and idea are suggestions only and for illustration only. Please note products will be subject to availability and local listing, please check with your branch for details.

GLASS

£1 off

CATH MARSTON SAY HELLO TO...

Cath Marston is Head of Sustainability and has been with Booker for 37 years. Her career began as a secretary in the Buying department before she progressed to become a PA for the Commercial Director. In this role she supported the Trading team for more than 22 years before moving to the role of Sustainability Manager in 2008. Cath leapt at the chance to take on her 'dream job' and has never looked back. Her efforts and achievements over the last 16 years have made a hugely positive impact on the business in terms of both driving efficiencies and improving our planet credentials.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF…

I’m Cath Marston and I’m Head of Sustainability for Booker, a role I have held for 16 years – although I’ve actually been with Booker for more than 37 years. I live in rural Northamptonshire with my husband (who also works for Booker) three alpacas and two rescued cats. I love being out in nature, meditating, yoga and even chanting!

HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN PASSIONATE ABOUT THE PLANET?

Completely! I’m not ashamed to say I’ve always been a tree-hugging hippie. Even in my early days with Booker as a secretary I started recycling programmes at Equity House, Booker’s Head Office. I constantly encouraged ‘switch off’ awareness and was often badgering buyers about responsible sourcing of our products. So, when the new role of Sustainability Manager came up, I leapt at it. It was a big change for me to move from being PA and leave the Trading team to join the Distribution team and set up a brand-new department, but thank goodness I took that leap. I have loved making such a positive impact on the business and customers in terms of both driving efficiencies and improving our planet credentials.

HOW EASY WAS IT TO CREATE AN ENTIRELY NEW SUSTAINABILITY DEPARTMENT?

To be fair, I got lots of support from day one and Booker were clearly committed to

making progress fast. It was my role to find out how we could do that. In the very early days it was largely about quick and simple wins: improvements across the business that drove efficiencies and cut carbon. But it progressed quickly and we were soon making very significant changes to how the business was run. These days sustainability or the Planet is an official Group purpose which means literally every one of Booker’s 14,000 colleagues has sustainability built into their job role. It’s everyone’s responsibility – and that’s exactly how it should be.

AND YOU’VE ACHIEVED SOME AMAZING SUCCESS…

Yes, working with our colleagues we have made some very significant improvements. A good example would be food waste: since 2012 we have donated more than 24 million meals to families in need through our charity partners Fareshare and OLIO. In 2023 alone we redistributed six million meals and fed 15,260 families through OLIO and supported 727 Fareshare charities. In addition, we have supported our independent retail customers to reduce food waste within their own premises, helping 674 businesses redistribute over 151 tonnes of food through Too Good To Go.

WHAT OTHER AREAS DO YOU FOCUS ON?

To ‘End Waste’ is just one of five core

ABOUTCATH

HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY

Since 2012, we have donated more than 24 million meals to families in need through our charity partners Fareshare and OLIO. In 2023 alone we fed 15,260 families through Olio and supported 727 Fareshare charitiies.

pillars that sit at the heart of our industry-leading ‘Better Trolley For A Better Planet’ series of hugely progressive commitments that we made in 2022 to provide a strategic structure for ensuring that we serve customer, communities and the planet a little better every day. Better Trolley also commits us to tackling Sustainable Consumption, Human Rights, Climate Change and Product. These pillars translate into real-world actions that ensure that Better Trolley informs and

drives literally every aspect of what we do at Booker.

GIVE US A FLAVOUR OF THOSE ‘REAL-WORLD ACTIONS’…

Better Trolley has changed enormously how we operate, across every aspect of the business. We’ve installed LED lights in all Booker sites; we’re trialling electric delivery vehicles; we’ve ensured that all palm oil and soy in our supply chain is 100% sustainable; we’ve made sure that 100% of our

eggs are cage free; we’ve moved to make sure that 100% of our own-brand paper is deforestation free and FSC certified; we’ve expanded our plant-based range; we’ve ensured that all high-risk products and ingredients like tea, coffee, bananas and cocoa are ethically sourced through Fairtrade or the Rainforest Alliance; we’ve removed non-recyclable plastics from all own-brand packaging; we recycle over 10 million litres of used cooking oil a year… I could go on and on and on!

Consumers are more conscious than ever of sustainability issues so making moves to progress on sustainability can also make for great PR both in-store and on social media.

SO IT REALLY IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE?

Absolutely, and a huge difference at that! Take the core Jack’s own-brand range: it is now 100% ethically sourced, and recyclable packaging. Similarly, on food waste we now donate on average over 90% of edible food.

YOU’VE COME A LONG WAY SINCE 2008?

It’s unbelievable really. But the support we’ve had from Booker and the wider group along the way has been phenomenal. Achieving shifts of this magnitude in a business the size of Booker is not a simple thing to do, but everyone at the business has played their part. On a sustainability front, I think we can all be proud of what we have achieved in the last 16 years.

BUT THERE’S MORE TO DO?

There’s lots more to do. Delivering our Better Trolley commitments means we have a lot of work ahead of us, but it’s a challenge that I relish, as you might imagine it all helps our precious Planet. It also helps

that Booker has invested in the Sustainability Team and we now have four full-time members of the team: Maria Clark leads on deforestation and handles analytics and reporting, Jess Clouder supports the entire team and leads on food waste, Andy Duffy supports the branches on waste & recycling, and me. The bigger team obviously means we can accelerate the progress we’re making and keep serving our customers, communities and the planet a little better every day.

HOW CAN YOUR CUSTOMERS HELP?

If I could ask one thing of our customers, it would simply be that they do what they can to help embed sustainability within their businesses. Booker has put in place an entire support network and infrastructure to help them across vital areas like energy

usage, waste and recycling. Often there are Group-exclusive discounted deals that they can take advantage of and by tackling these areas they can often reduce their own costs. It’s a real win-win.

Additionally, by supporting Booker own brand products, our customers can be sure the products are sourced responsibly and protect human rights across the supply chain. Consumers are more conscious than ever of sustainability issues so making moves to progress on sustainability can also make for great PR both in-store and on social media.

We all have to step up and face into this difficult challenge but, working together, we can achieve unbelievable things and build on the amazing achievements we’ve already made together.

HOT SALES SUMMER SERVES

The summer is drawing near so it’s the ideal time to think about taking your summer drinks menu to a new level with some simple, quick summer serves based on new products.

Let’s be optimistic and assume that this summer will be nothing but long, balmy days with packed beer gardens full of customers looking to put their worries behind them and enjoy a few hours with friends and family over some tasty drinks and a bite to eat. A brilliant way of both adding to your customers’ experience and adding to your bottom line is to bring some fresh excitement to your drinks menu with some summer serves that are quick and easy to prepare and serve, and can help generate a buzz while also driving up spend per serve.

Cocktails are still very much on-trend but can be time consuming and complex to make, often requiring lots of expensive ingredients and garnishes, while simple mixed drinks don’t quite cut it in terms of building that summer, outdoor living, carefree vibe.

So why not aim somewhere in the middle with some spectacular eyecatching drinks that don’t need Tom Cruise behind the bar and a fiveminute wait for every drink to be prepared as the queue continues to grow.

NEW NEWS

One of the easiest ways to achieve this excitement is to simply make use of new products, with Smirnoff’s new Spicy Tamarind vodka being a great example. Sweet and spicy, it’s an interesting launch from the biggest vodka brand in the business and can be used in many different ways, from spicing up simple, traditional vodka-based cocktails to creating entirely new drinks that work well with that unusual taste that tamarind brings.

Start easy with a Smirnoff Tamarind Frozen Shot or a Spicy Vodka and Cloudy Lemonade, or liven it up with a Tama-rita, a full-on sweet and spicy blend of tamarind vodka, agave syrup and fresh lime juice. Simple twists and seconds to make, but all adding to the bottom line and enhancing the experience for the customer.

GO GREEN

Also new is Bailey’s Chocolate Mint Shake which offers endless opportunities to build refreshing summer coolers, shakes and cocktails. From a simple Bailey’s Chocolate Mint Milkshake to a more sophisticated Bailey’s Mint After Eight Cocktail or a simple over-ice serve, there are lots of ways of taking advantage of that famous Bailey’s taste and a striking green liquid.

FRUIT FANTASIES

For something entirely different, why not add a few wine-based drinks making use of Booker-exclusive Echo Falls Fruit Fusion Watermelon & Kiwi?

The fruity, pungent wine serves as the ideal base for eye-catching, attentiongrabbing and Instagram-friendly serves like a Watermelon Frosé by simply adding watermelon.

Similarly, you could try a Rosé Mojito by combing Highbridge White Zinfandel with Funkin Mojito Mix.

As you see, getting a little creative, couldn’t be quicker and couldn’t be simpler but could make a world of difference to your profits as well as ensuring your customers have the best possible experience and return again soon this summer.

Smirnoff Tamarind Frozen Shot

Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind 6x70cl

Baileys Mint After Eight Cocktail

Baileys Choc Mint Shake 1x70cl

Crème de Menthe 1x50cl

1021252 £11.99

Crème de Cacao 1x50cl

1021246 £11.99

Whole Milk 1x2ltr M212331 £1.35

SERVING SUGGESTION

The Tama-Rita

Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind 6x70cl

M292507 £82.99

Funkin Fresh Lime Juice 1kg

M148128 £7.99

Agave Syrup 200ml £2.99

SERVING SUGGESTION

SERVING SUGGESTION

Spicy Vodka & Cloudy Lemonade

Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind 6x70cl

NEW

SERVING SUGGESTION

Baileys Chocolate Mint Milkshake

Baileys Choc Mint Shake 1x70cl

M292505 £13.35

M292507 £82.99

Fentimans Classic Victorian Lemonade 12x250ml

M079136 £12.85

Baileys Mint

Over Ice

Baileys Choc Mint Shake 1x70cl

M292505 £13.35

SERVING SUGGESTION

Watermelon Frosé

Echo Falls Fruit Fusion

Watermelon Rosé Wine 6x75cl

M292472 £23.99

Vanilla Ice Cream 1x4ltr

M195253 £4.99

Whole Milk 1x2ltr

M212331 £1.35

Noels Chocolate Sauce 1kg

M115222 £4.69

SERVING SUGGESTION

Rosé Mojito

Highbridge White Zinfandel 6x75cl

M283033 £29.99

Watermelon Single M146215 £4.99

Funkin Mojito Mix 1ltr

M181227 £5.29

EXCLUSIVE EXCLUSIVE