Speciality-Food-Magazine-November-December-2024

popular in Korean cuisine, is now a pretty familiar item on ingredients lists despite being relatively unheard of just a few short years ago – its rise no doubt aided for the social media trend for Korean food, particularly sweet and spicy gochuchang- smothered chicken wings. “Social media has provided a world-wide view into delicious ingredients which we are lucky enough to be able to supply,” says Justin. “It has also helped bring in a younger demographic to the speciality food space, who appreciate how these ingredients offer both quality and flexibility and allow them to experiment with global flavours.” Delicious convenience “In 2024, fine food shoppers are seekingmore than just convenience – they want products that align with their values and offer a gourmet experience. This means a focus on sustainability, transparency in sourcing, and an emphasis on health-conscious ingredients without sacrificing flavour,” says Tim Hillgarth, founder of The Saucerer, a brand of premium stir-in pasta sauces. Traditionally, ready-made pasta sauces have been largely the preserve of supermarkets, with big brands taking up all the space on shelves with largely unexciting lines. Thankfully, the fine food sector is now forging its own path, with innovative brands like The Saucerer bringing high quality and punchy flavour to indies. “Being a stir-in brand, luxury convenience is what we’re about. Our range is designed for foodies who seek quality, creativity and bold flavours.” The range is versatile, too – another tick for inventive but time-poor shoppers. “We like to go beyond pasta,” says Tim. “Our chorizo sauce goes well on a focaccia with goats’ cheese, hot honey and basil for example. Meanwhile, our aubergine and harissa goes well if you dollop it into your baked egg.” Value inmore ways than one Withmany products offering long shelf lives, versatility andmultiple uses per unit, the storecupboard offers value for money and it’s important to provide customers with a considered balance of practicality and innovation, all at a justifiable price. “It’s essential to get the storecupboard basics right,” agrees Justin. “Consumers want value, but they understand that it’s 34 A well-stocked pantrymust be the most valuable resource in any home cook’s kitchen. Its contents ranging from everyday essentials such as oils, salt and pepper to spices, seasonings and flavour-packed pastes that can transform a dish inmoments, the storecupboard is a one-stop-shop when it comes to making homemade dishes sing. The magic of storecupboard products lie in their ability to be simultaneously comforting and exciting, offering everything you need to whip up a delicious dish for loved ones as well as the adventure of trying punchy new flavours. Fancy Italian-inspired pasta with a rich sundried tomato, red pepper and oregano sauce? On the table in 20 minutes thanks to your pantry. Or a spicy, peanutty ramen full of Eastern promise? See you in 10. Convenience is the name of the game. Flavour-packed seasonings and pre-chopped garlic, ginger and chillies allow customers to rustle up all manner of dishes without spending valuable time on prep, and pastes promising full-on flavours all in one place mean that shoppers can experiment with adventurous foods – as well as family favourites – in far less time than if they had to chop, grind and whizz each ingredient themselves. An evolvingmenu Of course, a sector so wide-ranging is constantly changing shape, and with a decades-long history RH Amar @specialityfood JUSTIN BURBAGE RH AMAR TIM HILLGARTH THE SAUCERER CARMEN FERGUSON WINDMILL ORGANIC BARNES EDWARDS THE GARLIC FARM MARK KACARY THE NORFOLK DELI COMMENTATORS has long been a go-to for retailers seeking high quality storecupboard stockers. “RH Amar was founded almost 80 years ago, and during that time storecupboard ingredients have changed so much but yet there also remains much reassuring familiarity,” begins Justin Burbage, commercial director. “There are still the much- loved storecupboard stalwarts, the workhorses we rely on daily, but they now share the space with an ever- changing roster of exciting trend-led ingredients.” The storecupboard is an exciting place to be, says Justin. “We’ve seen the storecupboard transform from the poor relation to star player in the kitchen, with shoppers’ eyes opened to the quality, variety and innovation that exists.” The recognition fromfine food consumers that it’s worth investing in better ingredients, as well as the constant innovation within ambient products, has benefited the fine food sector. “There’s been significant premiumisation, with consumers opting for higher-end brands, like Mutti, for staples such as tinned tomatoes. The breadth of the category has also expanded, helped by kitchen design trends where pantries and storecupboards have been givenmore space, helping to boost the category’s appeal and growth,” says Justin. An appetite for new tastes With younger customers increasingly using social media as a resource for meal ideas, and inspiration from around the world abound, the plethora of ambient pastes and seasonings on offer in the UK is allowing customers to expand their culinary portfolio withminimal effort. Gochuchang, a red pepper paste AMBIENT ADVENTURES A well-stocked storecupboard is the foundation for home cooks’ culinary exploration, so choose your range wisely COMING MARCH 2025 For more information contact: louise.barnes@artichokehq.com 01206 508629 IN THE ISSUE: The Green Report 2025 Sustainable Champions Sustainable Brands centrespread