http://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/site/index.php/site/index/ en raphael.giacardi@aceville.co.uk Copyright 2008 2008-08-27T13:37:54+00:00 http://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/site/index.php/content/news/tescos_local_food_millions/http://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/site/index.php/content/news/tescos_local_food_millions/#When:12:37:54Z The newspaper reported that Tesco's sales of locally produced food and drinks have increased by 40% in 2008 and the multiple, which stocks 3,000 regional product lines, is reaping the rewards for its decision to venture into the market for local food. Willie Hamilton, the commercial director for Tesco Local, told The Times, “We set ourselves very stretching targets to get to £1 billion in sales of local products by 2011. People are cash-strapped but our numbers are bang on target. Some 84% of our customers are saying that they would like to buy local lines. It’s a fantastic opportunity and that’s why we’re investing so much.” However, it is not clear whether this increased demand for local products will drive more consumers towards delicatessens and farm shops, or simply strengthen Tesco's position in the grocery sector. News 2008-08-27T12:37:54+00:00 http://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/site/index.php/content/news/online_boost_for_high_street_butcher/http://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/site/index.php/content/news/online_boost_for_high_street_butcher/#When:08:19:29Z After a difficult year in 2007, the owners of Midlands butcher, Clare Barry, turned their fortunes around by becoming a booming internet retailer. Based in Evesham, Clare Barry is a successful quality butcher, however, trading conditions were made difficult after floods hit the area last year. And, the weather was just the tip of the iceberg as the credit crunch and competition with the supermarkets meant the local High Street was deserted. As a result, the father-and-daughter team decided something had to be done. Ms Lusted says, “Evesham was a ghost town and we were stranded at work. We looked at each other and just thought why don’t we really push this internet thing? “The water didn’t come into our shop, but our customers were in caravans – they had to move out of their homes. Who wants a freezer full of meat in a caravan? And, there was no barbecue season – who wants a floating barbecue?” However, the website, http://www.clarebarry.co.uk, proved an instant hit and built up a customer base of more than 2,000 people in less than five months. Ms Lusted continues, “We knew there was potentially a nationwide market for high quality meat and we were really keen to continue to support British farmers. “We only buy our fresh meat and poultry from British farms and wholesalers and source our produce locally wherever possible. We’ve found that people want the convenience of a supermarket, but the quality of the local butcher. They are beginning to understand now that you can have fresh meat delivered and due to technological advances, its quality is not going to suffer in transit.” Feature Article 2008-08-26T08:19:29+00:00 http://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/site/index.php/content/news/put_your_cheese_counter_firmly_on_the_map/http://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/site/index.php/content/news/put_your_cheese_counter_firmly_on_the_map/#When:20:22:01Z Sponsored by Speciality Food, the leading trade magazine for the fine food industry, the award aims to put one exceptional cheese seller firmly on the map. “This award is a fantastic opportunity to get free publicity for your store, as well as a deserved pat on the back for support our nation's fantastic cheese producers,” says Speciality Food editor, Nicola Mallett. “We are hoping that lots of new delis will enter and prove that independent retailers are the best place to find fabulous cheese in peak condition,” she adds. The winner will pick up a trophy, tickets to the British Cheese Awards Trade Day (including travel expenses and overnight stay) and two free places on one of Juliet Harbutt's renowned cheese courses. The judges will be looking for delis that are committed to British cheese, have been open less than two years, have a passion for British cheese and generally put their heart and souls into selling it. “There are so many fantastic cheese varieties in the UK and we want to find a retailer that is really selling them at their best,” concludes Miss Mallett. The award is now open for entries and Speciality Food is calling on interested delis to prove their worth. To find out more about the Best New Deli award, or to enter, contact the British Cheese Awards now on 01608 658 929, or on cheese@thecheeseweb.com. Closing date for entries is 11th September. News 2008-08-25T20:22:01+00:00 http://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/site/index.php/content/hotproducts/going_with_the_grain2/http://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/site/index.php/content/hotproducts/going_with_the_grain2/#When:12:49:01Z An essential item for all food retailers is Ferron Carnaroli Risotto rice. Ferron is one of the oldest rice mills in Italy, established in 1605, and the rice is referred to by name in Italian cookery books. Carnaroli, Vialone Nano and Arborio are the traditional rice varieties used for Italian risotto, the starch content of the rice governs its absorbency and so the creaminess of the risotto. Carnaroli has the highest starch content of the three and the highest level of absorbency, during cooking it doubles in size and has a definite cereal flavour. Carnaroli is also the lowest yielding of all the Italian rice types so is produced on a much smaller scale; water flowing into Ferron‘s paddy fields comes from surrounding alpine streams and carp in the waterways keep the insects at bay instead of pesticides. For more information contact Guidetti Fine Foods on 020 7635 9800, or info@guidetti.co.uk Hot Products, Hot Products - Featured 2008-08-25T12:49:01+00:00 http://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/site/index.php/content/hotproducts/box_clever/http://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/site/index.php/content/hotproducts/box_clever/#When:12:43:00Z Kingscroft supplies many products within packaging, including cartons, cases, POS, bags, stand-up pouches, films and now gift packaging! Please note our new one piece gift/hamper boxes are now available on-line from http://www.hamperboxes.co.uk which are ideal to assist making all produce into delectable gifts for any special occasion, corporate gift or Christmas presents! Boxes can be foil blocked to give you more brand awareness for you and your clients. Bespoke items, sized and printed to your specification - together with internal fitments, all at your fingertips. We look forward to working with you. Contact us on 01294 313348 or send an email to jennifer@kingscroftlogistics.co.uk. Contacting Kingscroft will allow you to focus more on your manufacturing and sales while we take care of your packaging. BRC/IoP authorised supplier. Hot Products, Hot Products - Featured 2008-08-25T12:43:00+00:00 http://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/site/index.php/content/hotproducts/liquid_gold/http://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/site/index.php/content/hotproducts/liquid_gold/#When:12:42:00Z The Latzimas Extra Virgin and Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oils are two top quality extra virgins from Crete. The production of Latzimas comes from the 'Koroneiki' variety and combines traditional methods of cold pressing extraction with modern technology. Latzimas SA has obtained accreditation in BRC and in IFS (International Food Standard) and operate under HACCP and ISO22000. The Latzimas EVOOs come from the region of North Mylopotamos, Rethymno, Crete. The products have a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) certificate as this particular area has all the necessary conditions to produce one of the world's top quality extra virgin olive oils. Latzimas EVOOs has won many awards so far including the 2008 Gold Great Taste Award, the 2008 Superior Taste Award in Brussels, Belgium as well as the 2008 Gold and Silver Taste Award in the Olive Oil Festival in Athens for the Organic and the regular respectivelly. Available exclusively from The Greek Delicatessen, T.01462 482595 or email info@thegreekdeli.com Hot Products, Hot Products - Featured 2008-08-25T12:42:00+00:00 http://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/site/index.php/content/hotproducts/getting_the_goat/http://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/site/index.php/content/hotproducts/getting_the_goat/#When:12:28:00Z Sales of Delamere Dairy goat's cheese were up 39% at the end of 2007 compared with the previous 12 months. With such healthy sales - what better reason could there be for offering you customers a range of goat's cheeses? Delamere Dairy’s Farmhouse Mature goat's cheese is handmade with milk from British goat herds. The 14kg clothbound wheels are slowly matured for between nine and 12 months until they achieve a full, wonderfully creamy, nutty flavour. Launched at the Nantwich International Cheese Show in 2005, it was awarded the coveted title of Reserve Supreme Champion beating off competition from over 1900 cheeses. It has continued to pick up prizes at The World Cheese Awards, The British Cheese Awards and closer to home, as category winner of the Manchester Cheese Challenge. Delamere Dairy’s Farmhouse Mature goat's cheese is a tasty addition to every well stocked cheese counter. Available nationally, please contact H & B Foods on 0207 819 6000 for details. Hot Products, Hot Products - Featured 2008-08-25T12:28:00+00:00 http://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/site/index.php/content/hotproducts/preserving_tradition1/http://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/site/index.php/content/hotproducts/preserving_tradition1/#When:12:27:00Z The unique Mrs Bridges' range of exclusive food and gifts preserves the taste and class of its namesake's original recipes. Mrs Bridges' charming portfolio of luxury products retains more than a touch of nostalgia - from the classic packaging, to the traditional recipes and methods used. For more information T. 01241 432444, or email contact@mrsbridges.co.uk Hot Products, Hot Products - Featured 2008-08-25T12:27:00+00:00 http://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/site/index.php/content/hotproducts/pigs_might_fly1/http://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/site/index.php/content/hotproducts/pigs_might_fly1/#When:12:25:01Z If you haven’t yet heard of Teapigs, it's a new tea company with big ambitions to improve the quality of teas in this country. Teapigs believes in using only top quality whole leaf tea, which it presents in its tea temples – a roomy, silky mesh bag which offers all the space that whole leaves need to infuse properly. So you have all the convenience of a teabag, but with the superior taste of quality whole leaf tea (crushed up dust just doesn’t taste as good). Teapigs is on a mission to introduce a diverse range of tea to the UK consumer. Although it loves quality English Breakfast tea, it also has some amazing green, oolong, white, red and herbal teas available. For further details T. 0208 579 4921, email info@teapigs.co.uk, or visit http://www.teapigs.co.uk Hot Products, Hot Products - Featured 2008-08-25T12:25:01+00:00 http://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/site/index.php/content/news/retailers_split_over_bank_holiday_boost/http://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/site/index.php/content/news/retailers_split_over_bank_holiday_boost/#When:08:56:41Z Sue Kemp, owner of Matlock delicatessen, The Derbyshire Larder, is very much looking forward to the 25th August and an influx of customers. “I think it is true to say that the credit crunch causes more people to stay in the UK. Bank holidays are always good for trade and I don't think the next one will be any different,” she explains. On the other hand, Stefan Najduch, owner of Barbakan Delicatessen in Manchester, doubts this long weekend will bring much good news. “We are generally busier during bank holidays, but to be honest we have been very quiet for the last three or four weeks,” he says. “I think this is caused by the combination of the credit crunch and the terrible weather.” However, Mr Najduch and Ms Kemp indicate that it's important to make an effort to get customers through your doors. Both are organising tastings this weekend to create a buzz in their shops. News 2008-08-21T08:56:41+00:00