Chef Wise

2016 has seen Ross & Ross Food launch another exciting range of foodie gifts and win another Business award for their continued growth and originality. Through their continued collaboration with fellow artisan producers in and around the Cotswolds, they now have an additional range of BBQ products on offer this Christmas. As a fine food company based in the Cotswolds, Ross & Ross Food have been specialising in handmade British food products and wedding & event catering since 2011. Using locally sourced, top quality produce, they supply delicious, fine food products for National and Independent retailers and have won both regional and national awards (including a Great Taste Gold Star and a BBC Good Food Show Bursary Award). While deciding on their top picks for Christmas, Ross Bearman, co-founder/Director of Ross & Ross Food, said: “We've been looking at the foodie trends this year so we have a good a idea of what will be heating up for Christmas. DI...

Need to feed a hungry crowd at the BBQ?  Give 'Em HECK. The fast-growing Yorkshire food company has put all of its sausages, burgers and balls into one basket and launched a great-value selection pack that's perfect for summer barbecues. The £29.99 pack (usual price £39.50 if packs bought separately) gives you one of each of HECK's full sausage range, including their traditional pork and award-winning lower fat chicken recipes, as well as their three types of burgers (beef, square pork patties and chicken) and meatballs. Totalling a mighty meaty 12 burgers, 12 chicken meatballs, 30 chicken chipolatas, 10 pork chipolatas and 24 pork sausages, there's enough to feed a hungry crowd of between 15 to 20 people.  Or take advantage of the £10 saving and stock up the freezer instead: a bumper pack for a real burger and banger-loving family or group of friends. In line with HECK's healthy innovation in the kitchen, everything is gluten-free and made...

The Traditional Farmfresh Turkey Association has appointed their new Chairman, Jacob Sykes of Fosse Meadows in Leicestershire. Jacob is a small producer of Free Range Bronze Turkeys. He was voted in as Chairman at a recent Association Open Day, held at Tollgate Farm Poultry, Warwickshire. Philip Regan of Kelly Turkeys is the new Vice Chairman. Jacob said, “I am delighted to take over the reins at the TFTA, Ed Hurford has done a great job over the last two years, and I aim to emulate his achievements, not least with the recent trademark of our brand, Golden Turkey. We will also be attending CountryFile Live in August at Blenheim Palace, and very much hope that both consumers and producers alike, will come along to the stand to learn more about the Association and our farming ethos.” Once again, the Association has commissioned award-winning TV Chef Rachel Green and award-winning photographer Michael Powell to develop, style and photograph a delicious selection of leftove...

Made using organic meat, from animals reared on their farm in Devon, Eversfield Organic is launching an exciting new range of delicious British organic charcuterie, Roam & Relish, which will be available nationwide from 15th July 2016.  Roam & Relish consists of twelve organic charcuterie products, including Pastrami, Salt Beef, Honey Smoked Streaky Bacon and Smoked Ham. Confirmed stockists include Ocado and Whole Foods Market, as well as a number of the country's leading independent deli's, and can also be bought direct from www.eversfieldorganic.co.uk (RRP from £3.85 – see full price list below). Amongst the first to create British organic charcuterie in the UK, the Roam & Relish range will include mouth-wateringly flavoursome beef and pork products. The beef range, all of which is organic and grass fed, includes Pastrami, Salt Beef, Roast Topside of Beef with Crushed Peppercorns and Roast Topside and Mustard. All of the products are produced u...

Improved concentration, increased energy levels and building better relationships with colleagues are just some of the ways that Tiffin Time, a unique service transporting tasty and wholesome lunchtime meals by bicycle, is enhancing workplace productivity in Bristol. With careful consideration given to the nutritional content of the weekly changing menu, to ensure that each meal is packed with all the vitamins, minerals, fats and carbohydrates required for a balanced diet, Tiffin Time offers a time efficient, sustainable and healthy solution for workers looking to fuel themselves at lunchtime. Designed to keep blood sugar and glucose levels stable throughout the afternoon, Tiffin Time replaces complex carbohydrates, refined sugar and saturated fats with wholegrains, vegetables and legumes. Whether it's a vegetarian or meaty option, these well-rounded and nutritious lunches help maintain concentration throughout the day and reduce the likelihood of that all too familiar ...

Supreme championship-winning prime lambs will be on the festive menu during Christmas week at Huntley's Country Stores in Samlesbury, near Preston, Lancashire. Tom Wood, head butcher at Huntley's, beat off all-comers to snap up the title-winning trio of Beltex prime lambs at Skipton's Auction Mart's high profile 2015 Christmas primestock show. They were shown by the Brown family, from Leyburn in North Yorkshire. Tom paid £500 for each of the victors, top price by a long chalk. The fact that a top-quality prime lamb sells for around £100 in a normal market illustrated just how keen he is to source the best meat that money can buy for his customers' festive tables. He said: “We have some top-notch festive lamb roasts, as well as Pavé of Lamb,which are mini leg roasts, and Lamb Noisettes, also from the leg of lamb. Boned and rolled legs of lamb are also on our Christmas menu. Absolutely nothing will go to waste. “Our customers mean a lot to us a...

Famed for its British premium gluten free products with unique, bold flavour profile, The Black Farmer is taking its taste and quality credentials into the fresh pork category for the first time with the launch of its innovative Roast in the Bag Sage & Onion Pork Loin Joint. This is the brand's first move into the convenience sector and will launched in Co-Op and Budgens stores on October 26th 2015. A second 'Chilli & Garlic' flavour variant will be launched in March 2016. Using the latest roast in bag technology to bring true convenience to a pork roast, this ready seasoned loin joint is oven ready. This technology is well tested and understood in the chicken category, The Black Farmer product is the first branded entry into the pork category. “Consumer research indicates that a real barrier to purchasing pork is driven by lack of cooking confidence and the fear that the roast will be dry or tough and bland,” says Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, The Black F...

Becky Broome, the British lifestyle brand that designs stylish, personalised gifts ranging from glassware and barware, to home accessories, launched its new website earlier this month, just in time for the Christmas season. The fast-growing brand operates online and until now had been retailing exclusively through Notonthehighstreet.com. Becky Broome is run by Kristian and Becky, a husband and wife partnership with a gift for gifting.  Together with their close-knit team, they bring customers a world of bespoke gifts and home accessories that even those hard to please will love to receive. Where it all began The eponymous brand was created by Becky and her husband, Kristian in 2009.  Initially they sold hand-printed textiles such as tea towels, cushions and aprons to the wholesale market, exhibiting at trade shows all across the country.  The company began to retail directly to customers in 2010 when they became a Notonthehightstreet.com partner. ...

While most teenagers spend their days glued to TV shows or video games, one Cambridge whizz-kid has swapped Xboxes for gift boxes with the launch of her own food bizz – at just 15-years-old. Year 10-school pupil Amelise Burr, from Melbourn near Royston, has created a new online gift box and hamper company called Cambridge Artisan, selling the best bites from across East Anglia. Each thoughtfully curated hamper presents the very best of Cambridge's artisan food and drink—and is available in a range of sizes, priced from £59 to £135. Gift boxes start from £20 and there's free P&P for all orders over £50. Giving food lovers a one-stop farm gate to regional food and drink, with beautifully packaged hampers and boxes that include everything from cured meat to coffee and chutneys to chocolate, the idea for Cambridge Artisan came from Amelise's love for her local market – and for business. “I couldn't believe how many yummy foods were on offer at my...

Calling all foodies. Discover a feast of delicious artisan food and drink products at a unique festive pop up shop now open in London's West End. It has taken almost a year to source the gourmet goodies, which you won't find on the shelves of a supermarket. From bacon making kits and marshmallows, to speciality teas and super food chocolate, find them all at Kitchen Table Projects' new Christmas Pop Up Shop, which is open until December 27th. Whether you are looking for gifts for family and friends or Christmas treats for yourself, this is a great opportunity to discover new products and join the artisan food celebration. Founded by entrepreneur Tara Sundramoorthi, Kitchen Table Projects is a foodie business dedicated to supporting and encouraging fledgling fine food and drink producers, helping them showcase their brand and products to the right people. The Christmas Pop Up shop is situated a short walk from Oxford Circus and follows hot on the heels of Kit...

Ever innovative, pushing the boundaries in craft bakery, Warrens Bakery has created the first ever 'Mince Pie and Custard Pasty'.  This new sweet pasty will be in-stores from Sunday 15th November, just in time for the festive season. Jason Jobling, masterbaker at Warrens Bakery, has been busy over the last few months developing something outstanding which would stand out as a clear culinary winner this Christmas.  On this creation, Jason comments: “We wanted to give a new Cornish twist to a traditional mince pie.”  He continues: “We've made the pasty using rough puff pastry, filled it with specially selected mincemeat and a vanilla custard and have crimped it in the same way we would a savoury pasty.  It's glazed and topped with a cinnamon and sugar blend for extra crunch.”  As with all Warrens Bakery's pasties these are hand filled, hand crimped and handmade with a lot of passion.  Recent recognition for Warrens Bakery's hand crafted, sweet...

Hawkshead Relish have been named as finalists in two categories of these prestigious awards run by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), the body which represents the UK food and drink manufacturing industry. Growth Business in Northern England and Exporting Company will see this Lake District based artisan producer up against some household names in brands at the finals gala dinner on 7th September 2015 at The Brewery, London. 'Reaching the finals in these national industry awards is a huge achievement in itself, given that these awards epitomise the UK's food manufacturing both large & small. It also highlights that despite the size and type of operation, we are all part of the overall benefit to the economy, being £12.8bn in exports.' commented Maria Whitehead (co-owner & director). The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the voice of the UK food and drink industry, the largest manufacturing sector in the country. Members account for 15.7% o...

Nobody puts baby in the corner this summer thanks to a brand new baby wood-burning oven from Orchard Ovens by Valoriani that will give you the time of your life. The kings of clay, whose wood-burning domestic and commercial ovens are simply without peers, have launched 'The Fornino' – a wow factor, svelte pizza oven that can allow you to perfect the art of cooking with wood, unless you prefer to go for a gas option. The stunning Fornino takes the breath away when you first encounter it, but its aesthetics are only half of the story. It is nimble and light, weighing just 140kg and equipped with its own easy-to-assemble wheeled stand, so you can move it around to where you want it to sit. It is weatherproof and able to adapt to your colour preferences, coming in a beautiful cream colour, but capable of being sprayed any colour you wish, without damaging its surface. Best of all, it offers better heat and cooking performance than any other baby oven on the market, ...

As the trend for all things Nordic gathers pace, in particular its food culture, so are sales of the iconic Swedish recipe meatball. Scan Original Swedish Meatballs ( www.scanmeatballs.com ), the number one in Sweden and the UK, has been given a makeover with a new improved recipe. To mark the iconic Swedish Midsummer celebration, they've also been cooked up into a series of delicious recipes for celebrations this June. Whilst in Britain sausages are our national culinary treasure - the fail-safe meal solution that never lets us down - for Swedish families it's their beloved meatballs. And now their favourite, ready-made meatball from Scan is fast becoming a regular feature on UK dinner tables too. Savvy Swedish Mums regularly turn to Scan meatballs for cooking up quick, tasty and nutritious meals - now with 12.5% less salt and no artificial colours, flavourings or preservatives. With a huge following across the two countries, they've been nicknamed the kitc...

Farrington's Mellow Yellow's commitment to environmentally sustainable farming has been recognised in The Grocer Gold Awards 2015, the most prestigious awards in the food and drinks industry. The brand, which is celebrating 10 years, has been shortlisted as finalists in The Green Initiative of the Year category. The awards focus on key business areas including innovation and customer satisfaction and this is a new category for 2015 recognising “specific and material achievements”. Farrington's Mellow Yellow launched in 2005 but it was two years before its launch in 2003 that farmer Duncan Farrington decided to become a LEAF Demonstration Farm and planted his rapeseed crops under the LEAF Marque standard. This decision to grow and produce his brand of cold pressed rapeseed oil to the highest environmental standards, raised the bar of British produced culinary oils as he led the growth of the sector within the UK. Duncan has taken a long term approach to envir...

Yorkshire food company HECK has got busy in the kitchen and created a series of light, bright and deliciously healthy recipes to celebrate summer, all featuring their new lower fat and gluten-free Chicken Italia sausages, burgers and meatballs and perfect for al fresco dining. As well as packing a punch on taste, the seven recipes are great choices if you d0n't want to give up your favourite meals but still want to get in shape for summer – all are low in fat and saturated fat, low in sugar and high in protein to fill you up without filling you out, and each is super quick to make.  There are also some great healthy summer food swaps and low carb/gluten-free options. Greek Sausages Makes a delicious light lunch that's low in carbs and perfect if you need to follow a gluten-free diet. It's packed with vegetables, too – you'll get three of your 5-a-day in just this one meal! Summery bangers and cauliflower-cannellini mash This light version of ...

Since launching in June 2014 Sibling Distillery, a Cheltenham based gin distillery run by four young brothers and sisters, has taken the drinks industry by storm. Sibling Triple Distilled Gin was a hit from day one, with a highly contemporary flavour and equally state-of-the-art still; it was being stocked nationwide in luxury retailers and called 'exceptional' by experts within two months of trading. Since then Sibling has been selected as one of the Top 10 Start-ups of 2014, chosen as Editor's Pick, Buyer's choice and served in British Airway's first class lounge, before recently been named the Gin of 2015. That aside, what remains important to the four siblings is that the quality of the spirit is the highest possible and no corner is cut. And now less than a year into their distilling careers, they are being ranked alongside names like Hendricks and Tanqueray with a Bronze Medal in the International Spirits Challenge – a competition open to spirits...

You can now buy delicious, handmade, award-winning delights directly from Okemoor. With a wonderful choice of fabulous pies, mouth-watering cakes, exquisite puddings, delectable tarts and cheesecakes, Okemoor's new website ( www.okemoor.co.uk ) allows delivery directly to your door from the Okehampton based kitchen at the click of a button. Head Chef Fortunato Malerba, who trained alongside Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines at Dartmoor's Gidleigh Park, brings his kitchen wizardry to Okemoor, giving traditional recipes his own unique, contemporary twist.  Freshly cooked to order using the finest fresh West Country ingredients, with no E numbers or preservatives, Okemoor's utterly irresistible treats are perfect for a host of different occasions.  The Okemoor team were thrilled with three prestigious wins at last year's Great Taste Awards 2014, organised by the Guild of Fine Foods.  Judges sang the praises of several key products, awarding double gold t...