Speciality Food April 2024

16 PRODUCT NEWS Take stock with our new food and drink round-up @specialityfood The founder of Lodge FarmKitchen, Louisa Stout, says she is overjoyed to launch the premium readymeal brand’s new Indian curry range . Inspired by a trip to Kerala, where her palate was “screaming with excitement and delight” every time she sat down to eat, Louisa spent a great deal of time carefully developing her recipes, all made with the best ingredients, by hand, and sold in compostable wooden trays. The range includes Chicken TikkaMasala, Jackfruit Jalfrezi, Lamb Rogan Josh, and Squash Curry. Louisa says, “People who don’t cook often, or enjoy cooking, feel curries are difficult and time-consuming tomake, requiringmany ingredients. This is not necessarily the case, but a viewheld bymany nonetheless. But they are so delicious, and it is a pity tomiss out, so we created this range. We have put in the time to research, and the patience to practise. Wemake it all fromscratch – our ownmarinades, our own pastes – nothing comes out of a jar.” There are vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options within the offering, which they hope will becomemuch-loved favourites for their customers. lodgefarmkitchen.com A touch of spice from Lodge FarmKitchen Range expansion for frozen food leader Fieldfare has continued to grow its award-winning range in 2024, with the launch of six new products in the first quarter – all sold frozen, and loose, offering a high level of convenience for retailers and consumer s. The new additions include buttery French Apple Tarts that deliver a bright burst of sweet apple flavour, while looking attractive enough to serve guests as a generous individual portion, or sharing dessert. The brand expects its Golden Apple Fritters, which encase fresh apple rings in a crisp golden batter, will become a customer favourite. And it’s very excited about the new Fruits of the Forest Strudel, which packs oodles of berries into a sweet pastry casing. There are three savoury launches too. Crispy Calamari Rings in a golden panko crumb, to recreate those holiday vibes alongside a pot of garlicky aioli, a classic Viennese-style Chicken Schnitzel, and the return of Fieldfare’s very popular Herby Parmentier potatoes, with a hint of basil and parsley. field-fare.com New brewed gifts fromCottage Delight Artisan foodmanufacturer, Cottage Delight, has unveiled a selection of new beer and cider gifting solutions. The Bottle Shop by Cottage Delight is a range of 500ml single bottles and trio packs, with bold, eye-catching looks across three strands – comedy beers, traditional ales and craft ciders – each created in partnership with specialists. There are 10 bottles in the comedy range, alongside beer and tankard duos and five gift packs. In the traditional selection are three bottles and a gift pack that tap into the craft beer trend. And nine craft ciders and three cider trio packs complete the new offering. These have been created by a single estate cider producer with a collective fermenting history of more than 100 years. Alongside artisan apple ciders the range includes unique flavours with fruity and cocktail twists. Marketing director, SarahWilliams, says, “Our much-loved comedy beers have been a bestselling gift range of many years now, so we knew there was scope to develop the brand into something evenmore shoppable for consumers. We are confident that our trade customers will benefit from the easy-to-select and display range of beer and cider presents, making purchasing alcohol gift solutions extra easy. We have worked with our longstanding brewery partners to ensure the quality of ingredients remains extremely high, whilst creating a contemporary brand that will appeal to existing and new shoppers.” cottagedelight.co.uk