Time for a Summer Refresh
COVER SHOT
25 11 14
Lloyd’s Lounge brings the X factor to Exeter with a classy café, trendy nightspot and an unmissable bar and restaurant.
Leon Thompson, UKHospitality Scotland Executive Director
“We’re pleased the Scottish Government has acted on our calls not to impose further costly regulation onto hospitality businesses with the Programme for Scotland. Hospitality venues operate in every part of Scotland and drive economic growth and employment.”
21
Agnes McMonagle, McMonagles, Clydebank
“We’re modernising the menu, bringing it up to date with all the foods younger people want. They don’t want just fish and chips. And we have a hatch where boats can go past and pull in and we can serve them through it. It’s the only SailThru in the world!”
Steven McColm, Glasgow Box, Glasgow city centre
“If someone big’s in town, they might pop in and have a few drinks and have a good time. The Killers have been in, we’ve had The Stereophonics and Kings of Leon. It’s full of musos, they like a likeminded place.”
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Email:Catering@booker.co.uk
All rights reserved. Prices and information are correct at time of going to press, but may be subject to change.
OUTDOOR SERVES
With an early, gloriously warm summer ahead of us (fingers crossed), this is the ideal time to up your outdoor dining game to maximise any outdoor space you have available. Booker has a range of products and suggestions that are perfect for creating Bite Boxes and other no-fuss dishes that require cutlery or crockery and can help boost summer footfall, sales and profits.
NEWS
9 New WhatsApp Group Booker’s new WhatsApp Business channel unveiled.
11 Spend on the rise Hospitality spending grew by 2.8% in March as retail spending fell.
PROFILES
14 Lloyd’s Lounge Classy Exeter venue brings the X factor to town.
21 McMonagles Unique Clydebank floating fish and chip restaurant sails ahead.
25 Glasgow Box Cult venue attracts visitors like The Killers and Kings of Leon.
FEATURES
28 Lamb Level up your seasonal offer with some inspiring lamb options.
32 Outdoor Serves Max out your outdoor space with no-fuss favourites.
37 Chicken Box Take fried chicken to a new level with our complete solution.
PRICE
40 Locked Down Pricing More than 700 products locked down until 17 June.
SERVICE
46 Wine Pairings Grow wine sales with tailored wine accompaniments.
51 Summer Desserts New desserts and high tea options to boost profits.
55 Booker Networks Flourishing networks bring everyone together.
BOOKER NEWS
NEWS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND OPINIONS FROM ACROSS BOOKER
LOCKED DOWN PRICES, LOCKED IN PROFIT
With the sun beginning to shine, Booker is again helping you plan ahead by locking down pricing on over 700 products.
ACROSS THE BOARD
The entire trade is hoping for an early, long and sunny summer and the recent signs have been good with sustained spells of good weather helping to boost footfall, spend and profits.
Booker understands how important it is for its catering customers to make the most of the vital summer sales opportunity, which is why we are continuing to help them plan ahead by locking down the pricing on over 700 popular products right through until 17 June.
The 700+ products included in the pricing lockdown cover all major product categories and products your business will use daily. Categories include:
Cleaning
Paper Goods
Disposables
Wine
Low and No Alcohol
30 Litre Kegs
The huge-scale pricing guarantee includes all main food, drink and non-food products and features an extensive range of high quality, great value own-brand products as well as an extensive selection of branded lines.
The pricing lockdown helps you deliver the quality and the value that your customers expect from you while also locking in your own profits and allowing you to prepare your menus in confidence.
What are you doing different to stand out in your local market? Share it with us and your fellow Booker colleagues at catering@booker.co.uk
Beers, Lagers and Cider
Spirits
RTDs
Mixers
Soft Drinks
Syrups
Hot Beverages
Biscuits
Grocery
Ice Cream and Toppings
Chilled
Bakery
Frozen
Desserts
Meat
Seafood
BOOKER LAUNCHES OFFICIAL WHATSAPP BUSINESS CHANNEL
Booker caterers will soon be able to reap the benefits of Booker’s new B2B WhatsApp channel.
Booker is strengthening its customer communications with the launch of a new WhatsApp Business channel for its caterers.
As one of the widest-used platforms today, Booker’s new WhatsApp Business API will help to amplify its marketing muscle and ramp up caterer engagement. The new B2B capability will enable Booker to deliver far more personalised content to caterers, in response to their region, branch and more.
It will also facilitate more rapid deployment of promotions and can send time-sensitive messages and alerts, including order cut-off
times and distress messages, such as branch closures and weather warnings. Caterers signed up to Booker’s offi cial WhatsApp channel will also benefit from updates on exciting new product launches, upcoming events, pre-sells and category advice to help them grow their businesses.
Booker will also be able to send caterers digital vouchers, instant surveys, Trade Show news and Club information and more. Retailers will be able to join the channel in a variety of ways, including email sign-up, online, or via a link or QR code.
For more information, speak to your CDM.
WHY JOIN BOOKER’S OFFICIAL WHATSAPP CHANNEL?
SPECIAL OFFERS
Get instant updates on new promotions, special offers and events.
FIRST TO KNOW
Be the first to see new products and Group Exclusives.
INSIGHTS AND TIPS
Get industry insights and category advice to help you grow your business.
STAY UP TO DATE
Keep up to date on Trade Shows, pre-sells, order cut-off dates, recalls and branch news.
Use the sign-up link: app.proconnectplatform.com/join/booker or scan the QR code.
INDUSTRYNEWS
HOSPITALITY AND LEISURE SPEND
‘UP
2.8%’ AS RETAIL FALLS
Spending in hospitality and leisure grows in March as retail spending falls, suggesting consumers are more interested in experiences than material goods.
The latest Barclays Consumer Spend report has revealed that spending in the hospitality and leisure sectors grew by an impressive 2.8% in March as consumers apparently prioritised experiences and making memories over material goods. Almost one on five consumers (17%) said they had bought ‘expensive meals” despite not having budgeted for them.
The increase in hospitality is doubly impressive given the fact that retail spending fell by 0.2% in the same period while total card spending grew by only 0.5% year-on-year (YOY).
The Barclays Consumer Spend report combines hundreds of millions of customer transactions with consumer research to provide an in-depth view of UK spending.
Consumer confidence in discretionary, non-essential spending remained resilient in March with 58% confident in their ability to spend on non-essential items like pub and restaurant visits. Non-essential spending was up 2.2% YOY. Conversely, essential spending on items like retail food and drink contracted -2.9% with consumers making cutbacks in anticipation of rising household bills.
Two in three UK adults said they were concerned about the impact of recent stock market volatility on their household finances while 71% plan to buy more ‘Made in Britain’ products in response to the Trump tariffs, potentially opening a new opportunity for caterers to highlight any local or national sourcing they do.
What are you doing different to stand out in your local market? Share it with us and your fellow Booker colleagues at catering@booker.co.uk
HOSPITALITY TRAINING ROLLED OUT
Government-backed hospitality Sectorbased Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) are being launched in 26 areas across England. UKHospitality, in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), has confirmed the areas which will be running the SWAPs to help people into jobs in hospitality and provide them with a ‘Hospitality Skills Passport’, a digital award demonstrating competence and qualifications.
The areas are: Great Yarmouth, Norwich, Skegness, Suffolk, Birmingham, Coventry, Blackpool, Cumbria, Liverpool, Manchester, Scarborough, Banbury, East Kent, Guildford, Gravesham, London, Mid Kent, Milton Keynes, North Kent, Reading, Solent, Worthing, Bournemouth, Exeter, Torbay, Truro and Penwith.
Sip into Summer WITH SIMPLY BerriesCream&
Now is the perfect time to update your drinks menu with fresh, trending, seasonal flavours in tune with what your customers are craving. Need some inspiration?
Why not try our summer-inspired Berries and Cream Frappe, perfect for the Wimbledon season!
1
FRAPPE RECIPE
Add 140ml milk, 50g vanilla frappe powder, 30ml raspberry sauce and a cup of ice to a blender and blend for 30 seconds.
2 Pour blender contents into a cup and decorate with whipped cream, more raspberry sauce and freeze dried strawberries!
Simply Vanilla Frappe Powder M280643
Simply Raspberry Topping Sauce M279135
Simply Freeze Dried Strawberries M288442
It’s never been easier to offer your customers refreshing, vibrant summer flavours — Simply Coolers are the perfect base.
Add a twist to a classic or create a signature serve, they mix perfectly with spirits, making it easy to shake up your cocktail menu this season.
Summer Serves
Serves
Pair with our Simply Syrup Pump M300712 for controlled and quick-serve portions!
Strawberry, Basil & Cucumber
G&T RECIPE
Fill a glass with ice, add in your gin and 15ml of strawberry, basil and cucumber syrup.
Watermelon Iced Green Tea Spritz
Mango Boba Froyo
Frozen Tropical Margarita
Mango Bubble Frappe
So in 2022, he embarked on an extension, which he gleefully describes as “the best thing I’ve done to Lloyd’s Lounge”. The terrace area was renovated and a retractable roof was installed, taking the total covers to 118.
“Before, when I only had just my indoor space, business was extremely tough and I was struggling, purely because I didn’t have enough covers,” he says. “The extension has pretty much been my lifeline to making this business thrive. It has enabled me to do so many things I couldn’t have done before. I do so many private functions now for wedding parties, birthdays and retirements.”
The revamped terrace offers customers the perfect way to enjoy good weather. “We generally keep the sides up, so it’s all kind of cocooned from the elements and then we have the roof open, so you’re getting all the sunshine, but you’re not getting that cold wind. It cost £115,000 all in with the lighting and furniture.”
Lloyd’s Lounge is now standing proud as “the only big independent in Exeter”, he claims. “My massive USP is service and value for money. I’d rather make a bit less money on a visit and keep people coming back, rather than trying to squeeze a customer for every penny.”
Lloyd’s partnership with Booker is central to the site’s value offer. “One of my big sellers is an All Day Breakfast for £14.50,” he says. “You might go around the corner and there’s the same dish at the same price, but it’ll be a lot smaller. So I’m trying to offer value for money as well as the price point.
“Certain Booker products are fundamental in my offering, like Blackgate sausages. We use them in our breakfasts, and they are
hands down the best sausages there are. The amount we go through is huge.”
Aside from breakfasts, one of the venue’s most sought after daytime dishes is a Mediterranean vegetable tart from Booker. “I’ve been stocking it for seven years and it flies out,” he says. “It is such a good product because it’s literally ‘put in the oven and serve’.” Chef’s Larder Premium Super Crispy Fries are another of his top products.
In the evening, the restaurant offers a Small Plates menu. “One of our most popular plates is Monkfish Scampi coated in panko bread crumbs from Booker with Booker’s garlic mayonnaise and we also have halloumi fries with chipotle sauce from Booker, and pork belly bites with apple puree and cider jus.” Booker also supplies the bubbles for the venue’s Friday Fizz event, which offers two for one on
KEY TAKEAWAY
LLOYD’S LOUNGE
Venus Gets Lloyd’s Vote
Booker’s new partnership with specialist drinks supplier, Venus, has been welcomed by Lloyd. “Booker and Venus coming together has been amazing for me. There were a lot of products that we specialise in for cocktail making that Booker weren’t offering, and now I can get them through Venus. I now have the same close relationships I’ve got with my Booker contacts with my Venus rep, Marcus Worthington. Venus has also been able to supply products local to Lloyd, such as Salcombe Gin and Sandford Orchards Devon Red Cider, which are big sellers in Exeter.
Prosecco. “I buy so much Prosecco through Booker – last year, we sold £122,000 worth!” beams Lloyd.
“My relationship with Booker has never been stronger. I’ve traded with them since day one and I’ve been with them for 13 years. I have such a good relationship with my local CDM, Matt, and a new chap – the catering sales controller – Steve Fletcher. I can pick up the phone, I can send them a message, they are always on the end of the line and I get such good service.
“My delivery terms are amazing with Booker, I get six deliveries a week. Now that Booker has upgraded its website, to say whether they can guarantee it’s in stock – that’s been a huge benefit to us.”
Booker’s recent acquisition of wine and spirit merchant, Venus, has led to even
more opportunities for Lloyd (see box). And as we head into Summer, he has big plans to elevate his outdoor area.
“Venus has been able to open doors by putting me in contact with people that I normally wouldn’t have a chance of getting to speak to,” says Lloyd. “My rep, Marcus, is currently in discussion with a Côtes de Provence rosé vineyard, and they’re looking at sponsoring and branding my outdoor space for the summertime.”
Lloyd has also upgraded all of his terrace furniture with more luxurious armchairs and cushions, to make it look “upmarket and trendy,” without the price tag.
With its fair pricing, irresistible food and drink, and weatherproof outdoor space, Lloyd’s Lounge looks set to soar come rain or shine.
it was painstakingly reconstructed and put into service as a floating restaurant.
Trading as McMonagles, the restaurant opened on 7th November 1993, with the bow of the boat emblazoned with the name of Agnes and John’s eldest daughter, Debra Rose.
John retired a few years ago, but Agnes still keeps a hand in when she isn’t busy with the grandkids. “I’m semi-retired now and Debra and her husband, Chris, have taken on the day-to-day running of the restaurant,” she says.
Of course, fish and chips reigns supreme, with haddock and cod in high demand, but in a bid to keep things fresh, the team has been branching out with a host of new options.
“They’re modernising the menu and bringing it up to date with all the foods that younger people want,” explains Agnes. “They don’t want just fish and chips – they
want loaded fries, so they’ve come up with lots of new things on the menu.”
New additions include Loaded Salt & Chilli Bites, comprising battered salt and chilli chicken bites with curry sauce and chilli flakes; Chips topped with chicken tikka, cheese and jalapenos; Heinz Beans with smoked sausage bites and cheese; and the most popular of all – Loaded Buffalo Macaroni Chips, featuring loaded fries with homemade macaroni, topped with cheese, buffalo sauce and jalapenos.
Pizzas and burgers are also on offer, and for those who can’t choose what to have, McMonagles Munchie Boxes may offer a solution. The £12 boxes provide a mix of goujons, mozzarella sticks, fritters, battered sausage, pizza crunch, chips and curry sauce. A kids’ version includes pizza crunch, nuggets, mozzarella sticks and fish fingers.
The newer offerings are already proving popular with their target audience. “A
younger crowd is coming in now,” says Agnes. “They used to use the takeaway, but now that we’ve updated the menu, they like to come upstairs to the restaurant.”
Older folk are also fans. “We get a lot of old people because we do a pensioners’ fish tea – and we always get big bookings when they’re going to the pantomime.”
Having owned the restaurant for over three decades, Agnes has fond memories of it over the years. She explains that a leisure centre used to be located near the boat and the restaurant was a popular meeting point. “Parents would say to their kids ‘wait at the boat’,” she explains. “They felt there was safety at the boat, and there’s still that feeling to this day. Our customers are like family, they’ve known us for years.”
Tourists love McMonagles too. “We get people from all over – you can even go abroad, and people might know the boat!”
funky flavoured cocktails in fishbowls, so we thought we could be creative and put them in bottles. My wife Cheryl made them up every day and we took orders through Instagram.”
With weird and wonderful flavours and names like ‘Vaccine 20/20’, ‘Jack in the Box’, and ‘Gummy Bear’, the drinks were an instant hit.
The couple sold 40 in the first week, 200 in the second week, and 3,000 the following month. Such was their popularity, that bottled cocktails became a permanent fixture at the bar when it reopened. The 500ml bottles currently sell for £6 each and Steven claims they are especially popular with women who appreciate the safety element of the resealable lids. “We now sell in the region of 50,000 a year!”
Classic cocktails are also available at Box, as well as a selection of mocktails, while a separate section of the drinks menu is dedicated to the most popular tipple – White Russians. New concoctions are regularly added to spice things up, such as Fight Milk (made famous by the American sitcom, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and Butterbeer (from Harry Potter), plus there’s always an imaginatively named Cocktail of the Week, such as Banana Hammock, The Resurrection, Dr Amaretto, and Peach on the Beach.
Given its presence in the vast majority of cocktails, it’s no surprise that the biggest-selling spirit is vodka, which is supplied by Booker, along with a vast selection of other drinks.
“Booker has been an amazing partner – first of all pricewise – we are a member of the VIP trade club, so we get even keener prices than the aisle prices. And also because of the convenience.”
Steven’s Booker contacts told him about the benefits of deliveries. “Julie at Shawfield and John at Port Dundas – explained what we could get and the convenience of it,” he says. “I was up and down 30 or 40 times a month from Booker. That’s now cut down to four or five times a month because of the deliveries. They’re really easy to deal with. We get one big delivery a week with everything we need. They don’t just do spirits and wine, we get plastic glasses and cleaning products, all sorts.”
He speaks to Julie once a week and she often tells him about bulk buy discounts that enable him to save even more. “We have good storage and we can buy a lot, so it works well for us.”
Getting great deals means that Steven can remain committed to providing value for customers and he also believes in paying his acts fairly. In Glasgow, he claims there’s a pay-to-play system at
KEY TAKEAWAY
GLASGOW BOX, GLASGOW
Still Game
Cult Glasgow-based sitcom, Still Game, is celebrated at the bar with a themed cocktail menu, featuring the likes of Isabomb – a shot of sweet sherry bombed in a glass of Red Bull, and Navid’s Heidbutt fishbowl of Dragon Soop, schnapps and lemonade. Steven fondly recalls how the venue hosted a Still Game quiz while the cast were performing in a live stage show at the Glasgow Hydro several years ago.
some outlets where bands essentially pay for the opportunity to perform, but this isn’t the case at Box. “We pay all our bands a good fee,” he says. Customers aren’t charged at the door either. “We’re free entry and that’s been massive for a long time.”
Box staff and customers got the surprise of their lives when the actors entered a team into the quiz and stated that whoever won could have free tickets to their show. Unfortunately for the cast, their own quiz team came 16th out of 20, which only served to make the night even more memorable.
Despite many people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, he claims that business is actually 3% up year on year. “I know times are really tough and there are loads of things that are squeezing people’s purses, but people still want to go out and have a good time,” he says.
When asked to describe his demographic, Steven says: “We’re like the village hall – there are all ages from 18 to 60. We’ve certainly got students on Thursday nights, but we have all walks of life. Not every venue can pull off an older and younger crowd mixing together, but we’ve always managed it. It’s testament to the staff – loads of people come in to see them.” And of course, the variety and quality of the entertainment is a massive draw. “We’re synonymous with live music,” says Steven. “Some of the best bands come here every week. We’ve got a fabulous sound system and lighting and some
of the best DJs as well.” The venue’s Tuesday open mike night has been voted best in the city on multiple occasions, Steven raves. “Our jam session is run by incredible musicians and resident bands have been with us for years, and they’re still pushing the envelope.”
Steven box strong the
Contrary to the venue’s name, Steven thinks very much outside the box when it comes to mindset. Competition remains strong in the venue’s prime location on Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street, but he claims “busy makes busy”. He says: “If people get creative with their concepts it’s a win-win. I’d love to shut the street off and put a big stage at one side of it and everyone gets a wristband and you can go in and out of every bar. They did it on Ashton Lane – we would love that here. I think the council should be doing more.”
For now, he’s keeping busy, preparing bank holiday specials, and a big bash in November to celebrate the venue’s 21st birthday. “We love music, but even more, we love the reaction it gets,” he says. “I just love delivering parties and seeing people have a good time. There’s something about people having fun, which is contagious. We’d party eight days a week if we could!”
OUR BUTCHERS ARE HERE TO HELP
Why not make use of the skill and experience of our expert team of butchery professionals to help you make more with British lamb? Let our butchers prepare your cuts of meat to your specific requirements to help you get the most out of your lamb joints over the coming months. Our team of professionals offer a high standard of personal services which cater to your kitchen’s every need.
l Prepared the way you want it
l Advice and seasonal guidance
l Full traceability from farm to fork
l Expert butchers across all our branches, trained to the highest standards
l Simple ordering via telephone (24/7 answering machine), in person and online
l Products packed and prepared to your specifications
l Supporting you and your chefs on maximising your menu planning/options
£8.99 PER KILO WHOLE LAMB
KEY CARCASS CUTS INCLUDE:
SHOULDER
IDEAL FOR:
Slow cooking and roasting.
LEG
IDEAL FOR:
Slow cooking, roasting, grilling steaks and stewing.
LOIN
IDEAL FOR:
Grilling, roasting and pan-frying.
BREAST
IDEAL FOR: Slow cooking and roasting.
NECK
IDEAL FOR: Slow cooking, stewing and kebab skewers.
RACK
IDEAL FOR: Grilling, roasting and pan-frying.
can order when it suits you, regardless of what time of day or night it is.
GET COOKING
As for cooking lamb and preparing dishes that will light up your menu and cause a stir on social media, you’re spoiled for choice. The options are limited only by your imagination. Whether your customers prefer classic fare like Three Joint Rack of Lamb, Lancashire Hot Pot, and Stuffed Lamb Leg, or more exotic choices such as Chennai Lamb Madras and Lamb Moussaka, there’s plenty of scope for creativity in the kitchen.
To help inspire you, we have featured some serving suggestions in this feature which you can copy as they stand or add your own style and spin to them. Whatever you do, lamb is a great way to enhance your menu this summer and drive up spend and profits.
LEVEL UP!
To take your lamb dishes to the next level, pick up cuts from our Blackgate Signature range, all prepared and packed.
BRITISH LAMB CARVERY LEG M229218
BRITISH LAMB CHUMPS M229173
BRITISH LAMB BONELESS ROLLED LEG M229247
BRITISH LAMB LOINS M229249
BONED ROLLED LAMB SHOULDER M229224
BARNSLEY LOIN LAMB CHOPS M292354
LAMB RACK M229158
IT’S GREAT OUTDOORS!
With a long, warm summer ahead of us – hopefully – it’s time to up your outdoor dining game to make maximum use of any outdoor spaces you have available.
Maximising any outdoor space you have available is critical to making the very most of the key summer trading period. Whether that’s a full-blown beer garden or just a few benches out the front, that extra space presents a valuable opportunity to grow your capacity and bring more people to your venue to spend more money.
While many customers may be content to just sit in the sun and enjoy a few cold drinks with friends and family, to really max out the outdoor opportunity means offering them some delicious food too. This obviously increases spend per head as well as increasing dwell time, as well as tempting customers with kids who might not be quite so keen to sit inside.
QUICK AND TASTY
One way to achieve that aim is by focusing on offering a menu of tasty, satisfying dishes that are quick and easy to prepare, serve and eat. With that in mind, Booker offers a full range of solutions that let you up your outdoor serve game with a minimum of fuss and outlay.
From bite boxes to burgers, dirty fries and hotdogs with a twist, there’s plenty of
options available that will keep summer customers happy, and spending, as they enjoy a few hours of your hospitality.
QUICK AND CLEAN
First up, why not consider a limited menu of classic outdoor serves but with a modern twist. No crockery or cutlery required, no washing up and no hassle, these dishes are perfect to reduce the pressure on your kitchen and serving team while delivering just what customers are looking for as they enjoy the great outdoors.
Best of all, that delicious smell wafting across the garden will no doubt encourage other customers to order “one of what she’s having”. And while a simple burger or hot dog might do the trick, why not level up your outdoor serves with some simple, quick twists that make them so much more special?
Dirty fries? All good and well, but what about Wild Boar and Pancetta Dirty Fries? Not only does it elevate your menu, it also leaves more room for profit. A few minutes in the kitchen and you have a dish that, when sold for a very reasonable £7, delivers a cash profit of £3.84.
TAKE A BITE
Let your customers choose from one of the many bites or hash brown products available:
GET SAUCY
Team it up with one of our many sauces. Top favourites include:
M300348
CHEF’S LARDER SAUCES
1litre £2.99 6x1ltr £14.99
M286853 Chipotle Sauce
M286837 Garlic Mayonnaise
M286835 Vegan Mayo
M286839 BBQ Sauce
M287296 Salsa
M286495 Hot Chilli Sauce
M286497 Yoghurt and Mint Sauce
M287089 Sweet Chilli Sauce
M288567 Prawn Cocktail Sauce
M286855 Burger Sauce
M287443 Piri Piri Sauce
M287445 Buffalo Wing Sauce
M288326 Mild Mustard
Or how about a Pigs in Blankets Hot Dog? Simple, quick twists let you serve it for £5.50 but clear a cash profit of £3.09 on every serve.
The options are limitless: Smash Burger with Loaded Fries, Five Bean Chilli, Katsu Chicken Burger, the list goes on. But taking a fresh, modern approach to classic outdoor dishes can help transform your profits – and all for a few minutes work in the kitchen, which you’ll gain back throughout the day as there’s no dishes to be washed and racked.
BITE BOXES
Another great trend is ‘bite boxes’, little boxes of tasty treats that couldn’t be easier to prepare, serve and eat. Again, no crockery or cutlery required – and bite boxes can cost you as little as 69p per serving.
From Mac & Cheese Bites and Breaded Scampi Bites to Cauliflower Hash Browns, there’s something for every taste and diet. Load on the sauce of your customer’s
choice and you have a delicious, satisfying, hassle-free dish that’s perfect for the beer garden.
And Booker has a vast array of sauces to cater for all tastes, whether that’s fiery Frank’s Red Hot Spicy Mayo or Heinz Smokey Baconnaise Sauce to classics like Sweet Chilli Sauce and good old-fashioned mayo. What better way to max out the spend in your outdoor areas this summer?
WINNER, WINNER, CHICKEN DINNER
Get on board the fried chicken bandwagon the easy way with comprehensive Chicken Box solution from Booker.
Brits can’t get enough of fried chicken. KFC opened its first UK store in Preston back in 1965, and consumers have been queuing up to get their hands on the fingerlicking good grub ever since. There are now more than 1,000 outlets across the nation and demand continues to grow.
Then there’s London-born Morley’s, which arrived in the UK in Sydenham in 1985 and is now such a big part of the capital that the sign from the original shop is being incorporated into the London Museum’s new Hanging Out display, to celebrate social spaces that bring communities together.
So there you have it – not only is fried chicken utterly delicious, it also has positive associations with drawing people together to socialise. But why let the big brands have all the fun? By offering some great quality dishes with Booker’s The Chicken Box, you too can embrace the good vibes – and prime profits – associated with this seriously scrummy comfort food.
The Chicken Box range has everything you need to really get your teeth stuck into this lucrative market, where value and taste combine to create an irresistible offer.
Our sturdy cardboard boxes are branded with high quality food imagery, the #Lovechicken hashtag and our very own chicken character. They come in an inviting, warm, red hue and are available in a range of sizes suitable to meet a variety of different price points and appetites.
You can create a tantalising nine-piece chicken box for just £2.49 per serving, that will provide a £5.42 cash profit if sold at £9.49. Add a pot of beans and some condiments for good measure and your
customers will be clamouring to bag a box.
For an oriental twist, Honey & Soy Chicken Wings with a sprinkling of spring onions and sesame seeds will go down a storm. Offering a whopping 74% profit if sold at £5, these tasty treats are going to fly.
Salt and pepper chicken is a top seller on menus up and down the country, so why not box it up and give the people what they want. Serve the chicken on a bed of rice with a light garnish of sliced spring onions
FROM SCOTLAND’S OCHIL HILLS TO YOUR TABLE
THE UK'S NO.1 WATER BRAND
PRICES
ON HOLD GET SUMMER STARTED WITH
Stock up on key lines at great prices with our lockdown guarantee
UNTIL 17TH JUN 2025
Keep customers refreshed with their favourite big brand soft drinks all summer long by stocking up now. You can top up on all the favourites listed here and be prepared for the inevitable spike in demand when the mercury rises because these prices are on hold as part of our
PEPSI DIET/MAX/ MAX CHERRY
24X330ML
£8.39
pricing lockdown. And while you’re at it, why not get to grips with those BBQ essentials too.
We’ve got all the ingredients you need for mouthwatering hot dogs, with buns, fillings and condiments aplenty. There
TANGO STRAWBERRY SMASH
are no question marks over how much it will cost because the prices you see here aren’t going anywhere for the duration of our guarantee. So take advantage of the opportunity to get ahead, and rest assured that these prices are locked in until 17th June.
M247346/ M738203/ M185936 7UP LEMON & LIME/ ZERO SUGAR
24X330ML
£8.49
24X330ML
£8.49 M300612
RIO LIGHT CAN 24X330ML
12X500ML
£10.49
M144607
M298036/M284926
£11.35
M806885/M300454 COCA-COLA ZERO SUGAR
IRN BRU XTRA CAN/ IRN BRU
24X330ML
£10.99
M233849/ M408385/ M471136
24X500ML
£20.49
M913690 RED BULL 24X250ML
£23.09
M968313
*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.
OVER 700 PRICES LOCKED DOWN
24X250ML
12X500ML
£10.79
£9.65 M292147/M292146
£9.25 M280192 SIMPLY FRUITY BLACKCURRANT & APPLE/APPLE/ ORANGE/STRAWBERRY
12X330ML
£5.29
DR PEPPER/FANTA FRUIT TWIST/LEMON/ ORANGE/SPRITE 12X500ML
£10.39
VARIETIES AS
24X500ML
£5.65 M633020
HIGHLAND SPRING STILL SPRING WATER SPORTS CAP
TANGO CHERRY SF/ MANGO SF/ORANGE ORIGINAL/APPLE SF 24X330ML
£8.49
M297376/ M292473/ M307017/ M290807
*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. RUBICON SPARKLING MANGO
AQUA LIBRA PURE FILTERED STILL/ SPARKLING WATER 24X330ML
£8.65
M294374/ M294425
ROBINSONS FRUIT SHOOT APPLE & BLACKCURRANT/ORANGE/SUMMER FRUITS
12X275ML
£6.09
M178265/M178264/ M178266
UNTIL 17TH JUN 2025 PRICES
LIPTON ICE TEA LEMON/PEACH
24X500ML
£18.49
M282717/ M282718
BAKER STREET
JUMBO HOT DOG ROLLS
1X4PK/ 7X4PK
£1.55/£10.75
M239746/M239745
HOUSE OF LORDS BBQ SAUCE
1X3.78LTR/2X3.78LTR
£16.99/
£32.29
M121866/ M252028
GET THE SUMMER STARTED
KTC CRISPY FRIED ONIONS
1X400G/6X400G
£2.49/£12.49
M143837/M143836
CHEFS LARDER GHERKINS/SLICED GHERKINS/ CORNICHONS
1X2KG/ 6X2KG
£6.99/£35.89
M288202/M288204/ M288208/M293295/ M293294/M293296
WIKINGER HOT DOGS
6X12X60G
£4.49/£23.29
GLASS JAR M110055/ 1X12X60G M110054
HELLMANN’S REAL MAYONNAISE
WIKINGER HOT DOGS BOCKWURST STYLE IN BRINE
1X1030G/ 6X1030G
£3.49/ £18.29
M173128/ M094017
FRANKS RED HOT SPICY MAYO
1X10LTR
£30.99
FRENCH’S CLASSIC YELLOW MUSTARD
1X2.98KG/4X2.98KG
£10.49/£41.49
M240733/ M240732
M270264
CHEF’S LARDER TOMATO KETCHUP/ BROWN SAUCE
1X4.5KG/1X4.3KG/ 2X4.5KG/2X4.3KG
£10.49/£41.49
M282692/M282786/ M282679/M282785
1X1LTR/6X1LTR
£4.99/ £29.89
M300348/ M300347
CHEF’S LARDER
2.27 LITRE SAUCES
2X2.27LTR
£10.49/£18.69
M291227/M291317/M291232/ M291234 1X2.27LTR M291226/ M291316/M291228/ M291233
*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.
MAY I SUGGEST A GREAT WINE FOR THAT DISH…
Empowering your team to make suggestions for great wines to accompany the dishes your customers order is a fantastic way to grow wine sales and increase your profits –and here’s how to do it…
Many customers enjoy a glass of wine or two with their meal, but not all of them are confident in ordering a wine that will perfectly accompany the dish they’ve ordered. That’s why it can be a good idea to train and encourage your staff to make informed suggestions while they’re at the table taking orders. Suggesting a wine that will pair perfectly with the dish being ordered could be the difference between selling a bottle of high value, high margin wine and simply delivering a glass of tap water to the table.
Advising on appropriate wine accompaniments can also help enhance the whole experience for the customer, particularly with strong or spicy dishes which can overpower lighter wines or, at the other extreme, delicate dishes like seafood which can be drowned out by heavy, rich wines.
Another idea is to feature specific wines on your physical menu alongside the foods they accompany best. It’s a small, simple tweak that could pay dividends instantly.
So to help you and your team make some great suggestions, we have compiled a list of wines available from Booker which are perfect with specific foods. Many of these wines are new to Booker and can play a key role in helping you set your wine list apart from your competitors.
WINE SUGGESTIONS
LAMB
Marcel Hubert Rosé
A delicate rosé combining lively summer berry aromas and a sweet tangy flavour of raspberry and strawberry fruits.
M144262 6x75cl £31.69
Camden Park Shiraz
Well rounded and full bodied, with an earthy backbone. A rich nose of oak with a hint of cedar, along with spicy pepper notes and ripe fruit aromas, including dark berries and plums.
M291808 6x75cl £36.29
Sant’Orsola Chianti NEW
A ruby red tending towards garnet with ageing. Dry with fruity notes, intense perfume with almond scents.
M180922 6x75cl £40.99
BEEF
Flagstone Poetry Merlot NEW
Mixture of dark, red fruit and mint with sweet, spicy undertones. A well-balanced wood structure complements the palate.
M301316 6x75cl £38.99
La Baume Saint Paul Cabernet Sauvignon NEW
Well-structured and balanced, with flavours of dark fruits, chocolate, and a touch of oak, complemented by smooth tannins and an elegant finish.
M301367 6x75cl £44.99
SALMON
Undivided Chardonnay NEW
Clear, light gold with a hint of green. Full of creamy notes, acacia flower, pineapple and tropical fruit. Well-rounded, smooth, well-balanced with lemony notes.
M301203 6x75cl £40.79
Wakefield Riesling
Elegant characters of fresh lime, lemon and subtle tropical fruit. A crisp and refreshing palate that finishes with lively balanced acidity.
M292719 6x75cl £53.99
J.L. Quinson Chablis NEW
A lovely, lemon white colour. The expressive nose has a fruity dominance. This Premier Cru is powerfully aromatic on the palate and has a lengthy persistence.
M301356 6x75cl£75.99
TURKEY
The Pick Chardonnay NEW
This full-bodied Chardonnay is pale straw in colour. With flavours of peach, tropical melon, vanilla and a hint of grapefruit, balanced by a smooth creamy finish.
M250294 6x75cl £33.99
La Toledana Gavi NEW
Bright straw yellow colour with greenish reflections, a tasteful and delicate scent with hints of fresh fruit and white flowers, as well as citrus and bitter almond notes.
M301353 6x75cl £58.99
WINE SUGGESTIONS
GAMMON
La Baume Saint Paul Viognier NEW
The palate is smooth and well-balanced, with flavours of stone fruits, honey, and a touch of spice. With aromas of apricot, peach, and a hint of floral notes.
M292736 6x75cl £44.99
Flagstone Chenin Blanc NEW
A very aromatic bouquet of ripe melon and dried peach. This wine has a refreshing green apple acidity, combined with a touch of viscosity and an explosion of pineapples.
M299514 6x75cl £38.99
PORK
Finca De Finca La Anita Chardonnay NEW
Pale straw in colour with rich citrus and slight apricot aromas and hint of vanilla. Soft palate with lingering aftertaste.
M291802 6x75cl £42.99
One Formation Shiraz, Grenache, Viognier
This wood-matured and elegant red wine has a rounded, smooth mouthfeel. The richly complex savoury notes and white pepper spice of the Shiraz complement the luscious black cherry flavours of Grenache, while the Viognier adds a gentle lift of floral scents.
M301289 6x75cl £50.99
DUCK
Undivided Pinot Noir
An outstanding wine that reveals a very intense ruby red colour. It presents pleasant aromas of small red fruits, spices and vanilla. Serve it lightly chilled.
M224057 6x75cl £40.79
Casa Sant’Orsola Barolo
Garnet red in colour with orange nuances. The perfume is typical, ethereal, pleasant and intense with notes of violet and rose. Suitable for roast meats, game and meat dishes.
M239858 6x75cl £97.29
VEGAN
Beringer Chardonnay NEW
This Chardonnay is an enticing blend of ripe stone fruit and vivid citrus flavours, culminating in a smooth, delicious wine with a lasting finish.
M151017 6x75cl £44.99
Previata Pinot Grigio
Crisp and fruity with crunchy fruit, citrusy acidity and a long, refreshing finish. Suitable for vegetarians/vegans.
M294618 6x75cl £29.99
San Andres Merlo
An elegant, well-structured Merlot with aromas of chocolate, cherry and mocha. Soft, generous fruit flavours of ripe cherry & plum with a delicate hint of spice.
M295326 6x75cl £28.99
STOCK UP NOW
M290318
*Nielsen Total Coverage MAT 29.03.25 vs 2021, Value Sales Growth, Carlsberg Britvic Defined RTD Tea Universe, ** Nielsen Total Coverage MAT 29.03.25, Value Sales, Carlsberg Britvic Defined RTD Tea Universe, *** Nielsen Total Coverage MAT 26.10.24 vs 2021, Value Sales Growth, Carlsberg Britvic Defined Iced Tea Universe.
SWEET SUMMER
With the summer months on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to refresh your desserts menu with new seasonal offerings and cash in on the growing high tea opportunity.
The recent patches of good weather have done wonders to lift the spirits of consumers and drive footfall and sales, and the entire trade will be praying for a decent summer to deliver a strong and sustained trading period. With the warmer weather comes new opportunities to freshen up your dessert and sweet treats menus and add something new and exciting to help grow sales and profits. Booker has just what you need, from indulgent new seasonal desserts to great ideas for cashing in on the increased interest in the traditional high tea opportunity.
JUST DESSERTS
Sunshine and soaring temperatures bring the perfect chance to offer your customers that most classic of summer desserts, the crowd-pleasing Tarte au Citron. Available from Booker for just £12.99, the Sidoli Tarte au Citron is the no-fuss way to enliven your dessert menu. A spoonful of crème fraiche and a sliced strawberry are all that are required for a sumptuous end to a meal. And if you sell it for just £5.99, you’ll make a cash profit of £3.75, a margin of 75%.
Another great option is a Peach Bellini Roulade which is quick and easy to prepare and taps into some of the biggest flavour trends of the moment. Simply cut a slice of Peach Bellini Meringue Roulade, add a few slices of fresh peach, some frozen, chopped raspberries and maybe a squirt of raspberry sauce and you have a summer dessert from heaven. Sell it for £5.99 and you’ll make £3.55 of cash profit for every serving.
TEA TIME?
The once ubiquitous ‘high tea’ has come back into fashion in recent years and offers a great opportunity to drive footfall and sales in typically quieter parts of the day. Creating a tempting, Insta-worthy
high tea couldn’t be simpler, and Booker has everything you need. Get creative by building delicious, eye-catching platters and invest in some old-school tiered serving dishes or go modern with slate slabs or brightly coloured plates. Why not create a standalone high tea menu and highlight on your social media pages to tempt more customers to your door every afternoon? Whichever route you go down, Booker has an array of fantastic options from ready-made Petit Fours, Mini Victoria Sponges and Macarons to Bakewell Slices and Lemon Drizzle Loaf Cakes. Great as sharing platters, the high tea opportunity is one not to miss and can help add sales at periods when you might ordinarily be comparatively quiet.
Bellini Roulade
M189892
M079136
M144609
M079134
M079135
M079139
WOMEN@BOOKER NETWORK
Launched in 2023, the Women@Booker Network focuses on empowering women within the company by fostering connection, support, and professional development.
Through Women@Booker, the company hosts a range of events, seminars, and workshops that focus on a variety of important topics such as leadership, career progression, work-life balance, and women’s health.
The initiative promotes gender equality, enhances workplace culture, and contributes to Booker’s commitment to diversity and wellbeing, benefiting both employees and the business.
The Women@ Booker Colleague Network recently organised an in-person International Women’s Day event on 8 March which saw nearly 200 colleagues across the business come together to celebrate and reflect.
In addition to supporting women, Booker Group also recognises the importance of mental health and wellbeing for all employees.
Recognising the importance of Male Allies - the network strives to drive gender equality for all – and also works closely with the men’s mental health and suicide awareness charity, Andy’s Man Club.
LGBTQ+ AT BOOKER NETWORK
The LGBTQ+ at Booker Network is run by members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies – and seeks to ensure everyone is welcome at Booker – regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Created in 2023, the Network offers a dedicated space for LGBTQ+ colleagues to come together to share experiences and issues with each other.
The LGBTQ+ at Booker Network also supports Pride events across the country and has supported a Vigil for Trans Day of Remembrance and run sessions – to help allies understand how they can support Trans+ colleagues.
In February 2025, the network hosted two events in support of LGBTQ+ History Month – a time to celebrate the history, achievements and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community.
The hospitality sector receives a £260m boost during the event* and 20–30% footfall increase for pubs on match days*
