June 2008
Oscar Winning Performance from The Authentic Food Company
The Authentic Food Company picked up a coveted Gold and Silver award at the British Frozen Food Federation Annual Awards 2008 which was held on 12th June.
The Aromatic Thai King Prawn Curry which is infused with flavours from choi sum, spring onions, red peppers and whole lime leaf, collected the Gold award in the Best New Main Course / Meal Centre Product winning the award over entries from Brakes and Silver Hill Foods. To continue the success of the evening, the Sweet Potato, Chick Pea and Spinach Curry scooped the Silver award for Best New Meat Free / Vegetarian Product.
For the past 21 years the BFFF have held these prestigious awards which have been referred to as the “Oscars of the Frozen Food Industry”. These awards are a reflection of the high quality and product development within the frozen food market.
The Craft Guild of Chefs who were the judging panel and honored The Authentic Food Company, described the Aromatic Thai King Prawn Curry as a “great authentic taste with a great prawn and vegetable content” whilst another reported “a good spicy but subtle curry which looks clean and fresh with a good portion size”.
The Sweet Potato, Chick Pea and Spinach Curry which is made from chunky sweet potatoes, fried and tossed in a rich, smooth coconut-flavoured sauce also won the judges over through its “good authentic flavours” who also commented that it was “nice and spicy and different”
Nik Barsan, Managing Director at The Authentic Food Company, said:
“It was a great honour for us to be presented with two awards for our innovative products. This is the first time we have won a BFFF Award which recognises the great success of our new product development strategy and helps to further strengthen our position and reputation in the marketplace.
“Our development chefs constantly strive to create innovative, high quality products that meet consumer demand. We take great pride in our heritage in Indian and Oriental foods so we are delighted to receive the awards, as we faced strong competition from entries from leading industry players.
March 2008
The Best Just Got Better
The Authentic Food Company has expanded its successful Classics range with the introduction of a new gourmet dish and one upgraded product to meet the growing expectations of busy chefs and diners. Both products are available exclusively via 3663, First for Foodservice.
Read More
February 2008
Children's Food - The Importance of Taste, Texture and Portion Size
The Authentic Food Company offers a range of international dishes that have been specifically formulated for children by their team of top Development Chefs.
Children’s food has to comply with certain criteria, which appeals to young palates, which is why the dishes in the Kids range offer recognisable ingredients, shapes, textures and products. The range was formulated to meet specific government criteria and the tastes of children aged 6 to 11, to enable kids to enjoy quality ‘grown up’ meals outside the home. To meet these specifications, The Authentic Food Company’s Kids range is totally nut-free, low in salt and sugar, free from artificial colours and preservatives and can only be heated by grilling or oven cooking, not frying.
Introducing children to a variety of flavours is a great way to help their palates develop. The Chicken Pakora and Chicken Tikka Masaala contain a reduced spice level and are free from artificial colours to make them healthy, fun and the right flavour for children. The dishes in the range contain ingredients children are familiar with and like, making them perfect for young palates and encouraging children to broaden their horizons, by giving them a flavour of dishes from around the world.
Portion sizes have also been especially tailored to ensure they are child-friendly. The range provides a variety of chicken dishes from around India including; Chicken Tikka Masaala, Chicken Korma and Chicken Pakora.
Since the smoking ban, families have felt more welcome in pubs and are more inclined to eat out during the week. NPD Controller Lee Tynan says: “Due to the recent increase in family dining, chefs need to add varied kids meal options to their menus and should realise that children are now much more used to a wider selection of food types and happily eat more ‘adult’ food like Italian, Indian and Oriental cuisine.”
Chefs from The Authentic Food Company realise the importance of eating 5-a-day and suggest making it more fun and interesting for children by disguising blended vegetables in bolognaise and topping pizzas with seasonal vegetables.
November 2007
Tex-Mex Starters Are Hot News for The Authentic Food Company
Mexican and Tex-Mex influenced dishes make a great addition to a starters menu. The Authentic Food Company, leading supplier of fine foods to the foodservice sector, offers a range of innovative dishes from the southern regions of the USA, under the Tex-Mex brand, including a Spicy Sausage Quesadilla and three types of Burrito.
For an innovative starter, chefs can add the Spicy Sausage Quesadilla to their menus, which is a ten-inch flour tortilla, filled with sautéed red onion, diced chorizo and Monterrey Jack cheese. To cook from chilled, shallow fry for one and a half minutes on both sides.
The Chilli Beef Burrito is a combination of spicy chilli, made with prime mince beef, peppers, onions, kidney beans and spices, wrapped in a soft tortilla. The 150g dish needs microwaving from frozen for approximately three minutes. This Burrito is ideal as a starter or as part of a buffet and can also be deep fried as a chimichanga.
The Authentic Food Company’s Tex-Mex range also features a Chicken and Cheese Burrito and a Vegetable and Salsa Burrito, which are ideal for giving extra appeal to menus in hotels, restaurants, pubs and for banqueting occasions. Chefs can either serve as a hand-held snack or experiment with various presentation techniques and can garnish with guacamole, sour cream and a fresh side salad.
Lee Tynan, Food Innovation & Development Controller at The Authentic Food Company, comments: “We are seeing an increase in the number of Mexican-influenced dishes served on menus and we are giving outlets the opportunity to capitalise on this trend by making complex dishes easier for them to add to the menu. Our Quesadillas and Burritos allow chefs to meet consumer needs and preferences for food from around the world”.
September 2007
The Authentic Food Company invests £1m in State-of-the-Art Facilities
In line with its corporate growth strategy, The Authentic Food Company, leading supplier of fine food to the foodservice sector, has invested nearly £1million in a state-of-the-art storage and logistics base to service its two manufacturing sites based in Sharston and Stockport.
Along with improvements to IT and supply chain systems to manage expansion, the new facility, situated in Cheadle, has been acquired to stock ambient products and packaging, which have increased due to the diversity of materials used to produce The Authentic Food Company’s extensive portfolio.
This long-term investment fits into the company’s growth strategy, which in the past year has seen the addition of twenty new members of staff; the extension of its portfolio with a new Authentic Classics range, giving a modern twist to traditional dishes and a succession of lucrative deals.
The new facility will be headed by the Purchasing and Supply Chain Manager, who comments: “The Authentic Food Company is expanding at a rapid pace, not only in terms of revenue but also diversity of product range, as well as people. We have had a very strong start to the financial year and have looked at areas that needed further investment and support. Among these was the requirement for storage of packaging products and ambient goods and the investment of £1million in a new storage facility will help alleviate some of the pressures in that area, as well as servicing our continued growth.”
The clean, modern, new build facility offers great flexibility, and is situated within just three miles of the existing manufacturing sites.
July 2007
CAMRA's Curry & Ale results from Authentic
The Authentic Food Company and CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) teamed up with JD Wetherspoons Curry Club at The Calverts Court, Stockport, for the ultimate in curry and beer tasting to discover the best combinations.
12 of CAMRA’s experts matched each curry on the menu with the most suitable beer – a feat only such top class professionals can achieve.
After trying a range of curry and beer combinations the results are now out! The top five are:
- Malaysian Beef Rendang and 3 Rivers Hilary’s Gold
- Chicken Korma and Deuchars IPA
- Chicken Jalfrezi and Archers Crystal Clear Ale
- Lamb Rogan Josh and Greene King Abbott Ale
- Daal Masaala and Lodden Flight of Fancy Ale.
The Malaysian Beef Rendang topped the poll. It was perfectly matched to the 3 Rivers Hilary’s Gold. Ralph Warrington, CAMRA Regional Director for Greater Manchester, commented:
“This is a pleasantly sharp, medium spiced curry which we matched up with the complex 3 Rivers Hilary’s Gold because of its rich flavour. The strong beer held it’s own against this flavoursome dish and really complimented the ginger tones.”
In second place, CAMRA paired the Chicken Korma and Deuchars IPA. Ralph comments:
“The sweetness and delicate spiciness of the Korma was set off brilliantly by the hoppy, floral aroma of the Deuchars IPA. Two different flavours that add up to a greater whole.”
The Chicken Jalfrezi came in third, with its well rounded, balanced flavours. The refreshing Archers Crystal Clear was selected as the ideal partner. Ralph commented: “The invigorating and rich ensemble of flavours in the Jalfrezi went really well with the cutting edge and restrained hoppy bite of the Archers.”
This expertly and carefully compiled top five can be used as a guide to all beer and curry lovers and will help future menu selections.
The Authentic Food Company & 3663 Go East
The Authentic Food Company, leading supplier of international fine foods to the food service sector, and 3663 First For Foodservice have teamed up to launch an exciting new range of dishes from the Far East. The five strong range, available exclusively via 3663, has been created by The Authentic Food Company’s in house team of development chefs and will bring Eastern flavours to bar, restaurant and hotel menus across the country. New dishes include Duck in an Oriental Plum Sauce, Aromatic Thai King Prawn Curry, Sweet and Sour Chicken Battered Balls and the upgraded Thai Green and Red Chicken Curries.
The Duck in an Oriental Plum sauce (350g) originates from the central region of China and is fragrant and aromatic in flavour and meets consumer demand for more innovative dishes. Aromatic Thai King Prawn Curry (350g) is infused with flavour from choi sum, spring onions, red peppers and whole lime leaf, and Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls (255g) offers crispy coated chicken breast pieces served with a tangy Chinese style sauce. The Red and Green Thai Curries (350g) offer tender pieces of chicken in traditional-style sauces, made with coconut milk, whole lime leaf, red chillies, lemongrass, peppers and coriander. The main courses are ideal served with egg fried rice, Singapore noodles or Thai sticky rice.
Created using the finest ingredients, the dishes are quick and easy to prepare. Most can be cooked in an oven in less than 25 minutes from frozen, or in less than 3 minutes in a microwave. The Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls can either be oven baked or fried and the sauce sachet should be simmered in boiling water. The dishes meet consumer preferences for Authentic Oriental dishes and will add an exciting alternative to menus in any establishment. Lee Tynan, Food Innovation and Development Controller at The Authentic Food Company, created the Oriental Range with his team of international development chefs.
He said: “Oriental food is part of our company heritage and is one of our areas of expertise. We are delighted to be working with 3663 to launch this range and to be leading the way in Oriental cuisine. The products have been created to demonstrate truly authentic flavours from the Orient by using only the highest quality ingredients. We are setting a new standard for high quality, easy to prepare Oriental dishes, allowing chefs to recreate innovative foods that deliver on taste and quality”.
April 2007
Cost Sector Catering - Vegetarian
The Key Note Vegetarian Foods Market Assessment Report states that the total value of the UK Vegetarian Food Market is £670 million per annum . To stay ahead in this growing market, outlets need to enhance their vegetarian offering to appeal to both meat and non-meat eaters.
The Authentic Food Company, leading supplier of international fine foods to the foodservice sector, offers a range of vegetarian dishes within its Mediterranean portfolio, including the new Asparagus, Spring Onion and Cashew Cigar.
The 50g Cigar consists of a spring roll filled with crushed cashew nuts, Thai flavoured asparagus and coriander. Easy to prepare, the dish can be deep fried from frozen at 170°C, and served alone on a bed of salad or with other dishes as part of a buffet or combo platter.
This product has been given an attractive handmade appearance to add to its menu appeal, authenticity and versatility, as meat eaters continue to more regularly choose vegetarian options from restaurant and pub menus.
Lee Tynan, Food Innovation and Development Controller at The Authentic Food Company, created this dish with the company’s team of development chefs. He comments: “It is important that our vegetarian products offer outlets the opportunity to expand their customer base and increase profits based on the quality, variety and appeal of the dishes available.
“Too often consumers’ perception of vegetarian food is that there is limited choice of dishes. It is our responsibility, as a food manufacturer, to ensure that time and money is invested in developing new vegetarian dishes so that we can provide our customers with optimum choice. The development chefs at The Authentic Food Company are continually creating new vegetarian dishes, such as the Asparagus, Spring Onion and Cashew Nut Cigar, to keep menus fresh and attractive.”
The Authentic Food Company offers cuisines under Oriental, Indian, Tex-Mex, Mediterranean, Gastro Pub brands and a new Authentic British brand, plus a unique selection of foods designed specifically for children.
For further information on The Authentic Food Company’s product ranges, please contact Amy Roberts on 0161 495 4117 or visit www.theauthenticfoodcompany.com.
January 2007
New Starters at Authentic
The Authentic Food Company, leading supplier of fine foods to the food service industry, has appointed two new members of staff. Justin Sanderson and Debbie Bower join the company as part of the senior management and sales divisions respectively, to strengthen the team and take the company forward into 2007.
Justin Sanderson (33), joins the company as Purchasing and Logistics Manager following a five year position with Tulip Ltd. With over eleven years of valuable experience in the foodservice industry, Justin will be a key member of staff acting as a link between the production, sales, technical and new product development departments. Heading up a team of six, Justin will report directly to Parminder Basran, Business Controller.
Commenting on his new role, Justin said: “I am looking forward to assisting the business in building a sound platform of technology and systems within purchasing and supply chain, to help us lay down the foundations for our growth plans for the next five years.”
Joining Justin at The Authentic Food Company is Debbie Bower (28), as a Business Development Manager in the sales team. Debbie’s last role was with Saxby’s and she brings with her four years experience in the food industry as well as a degree in food marketing management from Sheffield Hallam University.
Debbie comments: “I’m excited about my position at The Authentic Food Company as I will be working on some new and exciting business opportunities. I hope to become a fundamental part of the sales team to help achieve the company’s sales targets for 2007 and beyond.”
Commenting on these appointments, Nik Basran Sales and Marketing Controller from The Authentic Food Company said: “I am delighted to welcome Debbie and Justin into the business as they will play invaluable roles in helping the company achieve its targets. Their cumulative wealth of experience is vital to the company and they are already providing excellent support and leadership to other members of the team.”
October 2006
Authentic Goes Back to British
To meet the evolving tastes of today’s consumers, The Authentic Food Company has developed a range of traditional dishes under a new Authentic British brand. Available this month, the hearty meat dishes meet demand for quality favourites and will allow chefs to invigorate menus and offer a wider choice of home-cooked style cuisine.
From Beef Stew and Dumplings to Cumberland Sausages in Sage and Onion Gravy, traditional British fare is experiencing an increase in popularity as many top end restaurants and other food outlets are developing new creations, taking British cuisine as a theme. Research shows that British food is the first choice during 84% of all eating out occasions and chefs can capitalise on this trend by investing in the new range.
Four products will be available: Lamb Shank in Minted Gravy (420g), Cumberland Sausages in a Sage and Onion Gravy (350g), Beef Stew and Dumplings (340g) and Liver and Onions in Gravy (372g). The versatile products are convenient for chefs to store, prepare and cook and all come in handy portion-sized pouches. The dishes can be reheated in simmering water from frozen for approximately 20-25 minutes, or 12-15 minutes from chilled.
The Authentic British range adds appeal to pub, bar, hotel and restaurant menus, and also works well in in-store cafes.
Lee Tynan, Food Innovation and Development Controller at The Authentic Food Company, created the range with his team of in-house development chefs. He comments: “The popularity of traditional British food has increased in recent years due to awareness-raising campaigns such as British Food Fortnight. When eating out, consumers want foods that combine traditional fare with modern flavour combinations and the dishes deliver on both these aspects, allowing chefs to meet consumer preferences for more home cooked style foods. “
Tynan continues: “We are committed to supplying products that reflect the needs of today’s customers and that will allow chefs to recreate complex dishes in a matter of minutes. They are suitable for busy establishments, thanks to their ease of preparation, and can really create a point of differentiation for menus. The range will make food offerings more appealing to a wider audience which will ultimately lead to a growth in profits for food outlets”.
In addition to the Traditional British range, The Authentic Food Company also offers cuisines under Indian, Oriental, Tex-Mex, Mediterranean and Gastro-Pub brands, plus a unique selection of foods designed specifically for children.
Septmeber 2006
Authentic Teams up with 3663 to Launch Premium Curry Range
The UK’s first cultural shift towards ethnic, and in particular Indian foods reaches as far back as 1960, and it has since gone on to become one of the country’s most popular cuisines with the industry currently estimated at a healthy £1 billion .
Despite the continued popularity of Indian food among consumers, there has been little change in the types of dishes available. The Authentic Food Company identified the need to bring innovation to the market place, and recognised the need to raise the quality and choice of dishes available to UK consumers.
In response to this, The Authentic Food Company has joined forces with 3663 First for Foodservice, the UK’s leading foodservice wholesale distributor, to develop a new Premium Curry range. Exclusive to 3663 for twelve months, the six new dishes are inspired by various regions across India.
The new products include Chicken Makhani, Kadai Chicken, Lamb Chetttinadu, Prawn Balchao, Chick Pea Masaala and Bombay Potatoes, all of which have been identified as classic, authentic dishes.
Especially formulated to ensure the products preserve their authenticity and remain true to their provenance, these new additions to the Indian portfolio will help chefs meet the increasing demand from consumers for innovative, high-quality dishes.
The Premium Curry range is ideal for pubs, hotels, restaurants, business and industry and for a hearty meal is best served with Kashmiri rice or naan bread. All of the dishes are quick and easy to prepare and can be cooked on the hob or microwaved from frozen or chilled.
Julie Moore, Marketing Controller at 3663 First for Foodservice, comments:
“We are passionate about creating the most authentic, home-style dishes for our customers and this new Premium Curry range is a testament to that philosophy. All of the products have been created to demonstrate truly authentic flavours from the Indian subcontinent by using only natural ingredients. Premium Curry is definitely the new benchmark for Indian ready meals and we are delighted to offer the range exclusively with The Authentic Food Company.”
Nik Basran, Group Marketing Manager at The Authentic Food Company, added:
“We take great pride in our heritage and are driven by our passion for quality and innovation, so are delighted to once again be leading the way in authentic Indian cuisine with the launch of the Premium Curry range. The industry in general has witnessed little in the way of new product development over the years, and with consumers becoming increasingly adventurous, seeking more unusual, specialty flavours, we decided it was time to set a new standard for high quality, easy to prepare Indian dishes.”
The new Premium Curry range includes four main courses and two accompaniments:
• Chicken Makhani - Originating from the Punjab in Northern India, this 400g dish is a marinated chicken thigh cooked in a smooth tomato-based sauce, flavoured with cardomon and butter.
• Lamb Chettinadu - From further South in the country, this is a popular dish of lamb cooked with traditional chettinadu spices, black pepper, cinnamon cloves and fennel flavoured with the richness of coconut
• Prawn Balchao - A regional specialty from Goa, which lies on the Western coast of India, the 360g product consists of prawns cooked in Goan spices and flavoured with cumin, coriander and garlic.
• Kadai Chicken - This 400g dish is a spicy meal of marinated oven cooked chicken thigh tossed in a tomato based sauce and flavoured with red chillis, coriander seeds and fresh peppers.
• Bombay Potatoes - In five minutes this can be microwaved from frozen to make a delicious accompaniment to a main course. Made up of new potato wedges in a rich sauce of tomatoes, cumin seeds and spices, the 275g side dish can also be oven cooked from frozen at 200 degrees in ten to fifteen minutes
• Chick Pea Masaala - A 275g specialty accompaniment from the North-West of India comprising of chick peas and roasted onion, cooked in an onion based sauce with flavours of cumin, coriander and tangy tomato. This side dish can be microwaved or oven cooked from frozen.
2006
More New Faces at The Authentic Food Company
Following the appointment of six new members of staff just three months ago, The Authentic Food Company has announced the arrival of a further three new employees, providing further proof of its continuing business success.
Adrian Ratcliffe is the company’s new Business Development Executive, and will be looking to extend The Authentic Food Company’s reach into the High Street and Quick Service Restaurant sectors. In addition, he will be responsible for the Business and Industry and Travel and Leisure sectors within leading foodservice company 3663.
Kris Woods takes the role of Junior Development Chef / Benchmark Assessor. He will provide support to The Authentic Food Company’s team of Product Development Specialists and Development Chefs, carry out benchmarking of all of the company’s products and source raw materials.
Emma Beck joins the company as Sales Order Processor. She will be responsible for processing orders and invoices, assessing customer profiles and reviewing infraction reports.
Parminder Basran, Business Controller at The Authentic Food Company, comments: “This latest wave of appointments obviously shows that we are continuing to experience strong business growth, but is also evidence of our commitment to investing in our internal resources. This is vital to ensure that our employees have the support they need, and also to enable us to continue to offer customers the very highest standards in terms of both products and services.”
June 2008
Food Fit for Royals
The Authentic Food Company has launched the delicious Royal Indian Appetiser Selection to boost vegetarian menu options at pubs, bars, hotels and restaurants. It completes the 13-strong Indian starters range, which includes a variety of lamb, chicken and vegetable dishes.
The Royal Indian Snack Selection, from the Premium Indian Snack Range, includes three new products – Butternut Squash Samosa, Sweet Potato Bhaji and Mushroom and Spring Onion Pakora. Made with a combination of unique ingredients, the selection offers you a perfect premium platter.
The dishes can be served together as a deluxe platter, which is ideal for friends to share, or individually as light bites, starters or as part of a buffet selection. Mango chutney is provided with the selection to increase authenticity. Their versatility allows chefs to vary menus and spice up often bland vegetarian options. All of the latest additions can be cooked from frozen in less than eight minutes, making them ideal for busy chefs and hungry customers alike.
NPD Controller Lee Tynan says: “It can be hard to find tasty and innovative vegetarian food that incorporates new and popular flavours. Butternut squash and sweet potato have a wide appeal with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diners, which is why we have created the new dishes with them at the forefront. Offering options for sharing plates and light bites really boosts food trade, and it’s important for chefs to remember to cater for vegetarians in these instances too.”
The Authentic Premium Royal Indian Appetiser Selection has been formulated by a team of international development chefs to ensure it maintains its authenticity and remains true to its provenance. This helps chefs to meet continued demands for innovative, high-quality dishes.
March 2008
The Authentic Food Company Adds New Mediterranean Cuisine
The Authentic Food Company has expanded its successful Mediterranean range with the introduction of one new product and one upgraded listing, which are available exclusively via 3663, First for Foodservice. The new Gnocchi and upgraded Salmon in a Chardonnay Sauce join the main course dish - Ricotta Cannelloni with Spinach and Goats Cheese, as well as three starters - Asparagus, Spring Onion and Cashew Nut Cigar, Greek Style Feta Parcel and Brie and Cranberry Paquette to complete the six strong portfolio.
Read More
January 2008
The Authentic Food Company Puts A Spring Into Pub Menus
To put a spring into pub menus, light Mediterranean dishes could be the answer for busy chefs. The Authentic Food Company offers Greek Style Parcels, Brie & Cranberry Paquettes and Asparagus, Spring Onion and Cashew Cigars under its Mediterranean range to give chefs plenty of quick and easy options to choose from.
To give diners a light and tasty alternative, offer the Greek Style Parcels - a combination of feta cheese, red onions and courgettes with herbs, encased in a light, crispy pastry. The Brie and the Cranberry Paquette, which consists of brie and cranberry wrapped in a crispy parcel.
For a quick snack, offer customers the Asparagus, Spring Onion & Cashew Cigar -
a long spring roll filled with crushed cashew nuts, asparagus and coriander, perfect for busy establishments. The Mediterranean options can each be fried from frozen in less than six minutes.
All of these menu options are perfect for pub chefs who want to shake-up their food offerings throughout spring without compromising on quality and taste.
November 2007
A Taste of the East
Due to the popularity of pan Asian cuisine such as Malaysian, Thai, Indonesian, Vietnamese and Chinese, it is important for chefs to add authentic, Eastern dishes to their menus to meet demand from consumers. Senior Development Chef, Robert Gong, from The Authentic Food Company gives an overview of the sector and highlights some of the changes that have led to its ongoing success.
“Consumers now look for more unusual dishes from the Orient, instead of more traditional fare such as Sweet and Sour Chicken. Although many regional dishes have not been introduced into the British market, Provincial cuisine is at the forefront as foods from Sichuan and Shanghai are experiencing a rise in demand. Dishes such as Sichuan Chicken are being introduced to pub, hotels and restaurants by chefs who want to add exciting and new flavours to their menus.
“The 2008 Olympics in Beijing has really put China on the map and will definitely increase consumer awareness of new dishes from the country.
Pan Asian food makes use of herbs and spices such as chilli, ginger, coriander, lemongrass and coconut milk, but chefs can alter the level of chilli in their dishes to match the palates of individual customers.
“People are travelling further afield and as a result, they are much more confident in trying new foods. To add innovative dishes to menus and to increase profits, chefs should consider adding Oriental Dim Sum and pan-Asian dishes to really spice up menus.”
To give customers a full Oriental experience, food operators should serve the food in Eastern-style crockery and provide chop sticks and dipping sauces alongside the dishes. Accompaniments such as Thai Sticky rice and noodles as well as snacks and sharing plates with Money Bags, Duck Spring Rolls and Chicken Teppo Sticks will expose consumers to new and exotic Eastern flavours.
October 2007
Stena Line Passengers Tackle New Continental Themed Meal Deal
In celebration of this year’s Rugby World Cup, The Authentic Food Company, leading supplier of fine foods to the foodservice sector, has teamed up with Stena Line Ferries and Stella Artois to develop a rugby-themed meal deal - ‘Give it a try!’
The new line-up will be available onboard Stranraer to Belfast, Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire and Fishguard to Rosslare routes, from September 7th 2007.
The ‘Give it a try!’ package allows customers onboard to choose from three mouthwatering dishes: Chicken Jalfrezi, Mushroom Dopiaza or Lamb Rogan Josh. Each dish comes with Kashmiri Rice, an Onion Bhaji and Naan Bread, and is served with a bottle of Stella Artois premium, continental golden larger. The promotional package is supported onboard with attractive POS material designed and implemented by The Authentic Food Company. Passengers onboard can tackle the offer for £7.95, available in food city.
Dave Williams, Food Service Manager at Stena Line commented: “Our relationship with The Authentic Food Company spans over several years, in which time we have seen the meal deal packages go from strength to strength and increase in popularity with our passengers. The strength of the ‘Give it a try’ package is that it brings together three great brands and consumers know that it is excellent value for money”.
“We know that all dishes are prepared by the company’s team of international chefs, using only the finest ingredients, guaranteeing a high quality product at an affordable price.”
“We understand that the link between food and drink is important to our customers, which is why we continuously strive to provide innovative and appealing promotions to passengers onboard. The Authentic Food Company designed this package for us in conjunction with Stella Artois, to celebrate the Rugby World Cup in France, so our passengers can enjoy the matches with great food and drink.”
Nik Basran, Group Marketing Manager at The Authentic Food Company added: “Sporting events, such as the Rugby World Cup, are an ideal opportunity to offer customers new and exciting menus that they may otherwise never experience. We identified a demand for a themed menu on the ships and have worked closely with Stena Line to design the ideal combination to cater for all tastes and appetites.
“We are dedicated to providing our customers with quality products and the very best service, and we are keen to work with other organisations to develop menu solutions to meet their specific requirements.”
For further details please contact Carly Windsor on 0161 495 4115 or log onto www.theauthenticfoodcompany.com
June 2007
The Authentic Food Company gets Up & Running
Staff from The Authentic Food Company (Sharston) were up and running this weekend, as eight employees took part in the 5k Winston Runners Ladies Charity Run in Wythenshawe. As the overall sponsor of the popular annual event, The Authentic Food Company donated £1200 to fund promotional items, goodie bags, towels, medals and numbers for the runners.
The overall winner of the race was Jennifer Smith from Warrington, who completed the 5k course in 18.48 minutes. But the fastest runner from The Authentic Food Company was Michelle Sartini, who managed to cross the finish line in a fantastic 27.35 minutes. Carly Windsor and Kamal Basran from the company completed the race in just 29.20 and 29.50 minutes respectively.
All the money and donations raised on the day went to Manchester-based charity CALL – Cancer Aid and Listening Line. Around 160 women took part in the run, proving that Wythenshawe women are keeping fit and healthy, and all for a good cause.
Ann Robinson from The Authentic Food Company commented; “This is the third time we have taken part in the race and again we all had a great time training and taking part on the day. Well done to all our staff who got involved in the race and to all the other runners too!
“At The Authentic Food Company we believe it is important to get involved in activities like this and put something back into the local community, and sponsoring the Winston Runners Ladies Run is one of the many ways in which we do so. CALL is a great charity and we are delighted to be contributing to such a worthwhile cause.”
Based in Wythenshawe, the Winston Runners is a running club with more than 100 members of mixed age and ability. The club meets three times a week for social and friendly training sessions supervised by one of the club coaches.
CALL is a local charity providing emotional support and home-based practical helpto people living with cancer, their carers and families. All services are delivered by trained volunteers who are managed by a team of professional staff based in offices throughout Greater Manchester.
Stena Line Passengers Bowled over with Carribean themed Meal Deal
In celebration of this year’s Cricket World Cup taking place in the West Indies, The Authentic Food Company, leading supplier of fine foods to the foodservice sector, has teamed up with Stena Line Ferries and Cruzan Rum to produce a belter of a meal deal, the ‘Cruzan Savour the Tropical Taste!’
The Caribbean-themed menu, available onboard Stranraer to Belfast, Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire and Fishguard to Rosslare routes, began when the qualifying Super Eight were announced in March and continues until August.
The new ‘Cruzan Savour the Tropical Taste!’ package allows customers onboard to choose from two mouthwatering dishes: Lamb Piri Piri or Goan Chicken, with either dish accompanied with Spiced Cajun Rice and a Red Onion and Courgette Fritter. The meal will be served along with a Cruzan Confusion – an exotic cocktail of Cruzan Coconut, Cruzan Mango and pineapple juice. The promotional package is supported onboard with attractive POS material designed and implemented by The Authentic Food Company.
Passengers onboard will be bowled over with the Cricket World Cup offer, priced at £7.95 and available in Food City. To ensure passengers continue to enjoy the taste of the Caribbean, they will receive a voucher for £2 off a bottle of Cruzan Rum from the on-board shop.
Food Service Manager at Stena Line commented: “Our relationship with The Authentic Food Company spans over many years, in which time we have seen the meal deal packages go from strength to strength and increase in popularity with our passengers. We know that all dishes are prepared to a traditional family recipe, using only the finest ingredients, guaranteeing a high quality product at an affordable price. The strength of this ‘Cruzan Savour the Tropical Taste!’ package is that it brings together three great brands and consumers know that it is excellent value for money.”
“We understand that the link between food and drink is important to our customers, which is why we continuously strive to provide innovative and appealing promotions to passengers onboard. The Authentic Food Company designed this bespoke package along with Cruzan Rum to commemorate the Cricket World Cup taking place in the West Indies, which will allow our passengers to experience a taste of the Caribbean on board our ships.”
Nik Basran, Sales and Marketing Controller at The Authentic Food Company added: “Sporting events, such as the Cricket World Cup, are an ideal opportunity to offer customers new and exciting menus that they may otherwise never experience. We identified a demand for a themed menu on the ships and have worked closely with Stena Line to design the ideal combinations to cater for all tastes and appetites.“
March 2007
The Authentic Food Company Launches New Classics Range
This month, The Authentic Food Company, leading supplier of international fine foods to the foodservice sector, is launching three new products under the newly-created Authentic Classics range. Available exclusively via 3663 First For Foodservice, the selection of gourmet specialties has been developed exclusively by The Authentic Food Company’s experienced chefs and provides a modern twist on classic recipes. Dishes include Chicken Chasseur, Minted Lamb Henry and Beef with Brandy and Peppercorn Sauce, all of which will help chefs to increase their meat and poultry offering on pub, bar, hotel and restaurant menus.
The Chicken Chasseur (350g) dish contains seared chicken breast coated in a white wine, tomato and tarragon sauce with silverskin onions and mushrooms, while the Minted Lamb Henry (400g) offers a tender 1/4 shoulder of lamb, slow cooked to enrich the flavour, in a sauce of minted gravy and seasoning. Tender strips of beef in a creamy green peppercorn and brandy sauce make up the Beef with Brandy and Peppercorns (350g).
All products in the range can be cooked from frozen in a pan of boiling water for 18 to 20 minutes. The Minted Lamb Henry needs to be cooked for 20 to 25 minutes. The dishes can create a point of differentiation for menus and are ideal accompanied by Dauphinoise or fondant potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
Lee Tynan, Food Innovation and Development Controller at The Authentic Food Company, created the range with his team of in-house development chefs. He comments: ‘When eating out, consumers want foods that combine traditional fare with modern flavour combinations and our Authentic Classics range delivers on both these aspects, allowing chefs to meet consumer preferences for more home cooked style foods.”
Tynan continues: “We are committed to supplying products that reflect the needs of today’s customers and that will allow chefs to recreate complex dishes in a matter of minutes. The range will make food offerings more appealing to a wider audience which will ultimately lead to a growth in profits for food outlets”.
2006
London Calling the Authentic Food Company
Sandra Sellings from Manchester has travelled around the world, experiencing some of the planet’s most breathtaking places, yet this month, she had her very first visit to London. As an employee at The Authentic Food Company, she, and other members of staff were treated to a fun-filled day out in London, as part of the Sharston and Stockport based company’s Positive Action initiative.
The group of around 100 employees, ranging from Manufacturing Managers to Supervisors and Operatives, boarded the coach bright and early and set off for a busy day sight seeing in the capital.
Sandra Sellings Personnel Administrator has been with The Authentic Food Company for nearly five years. She comments: “Despite taking a year out from work to go traveling, I’ve never quite made it to London, so when I found out that was where we were going for the next Positive Action trip I was so excited. I planned out exactly where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do, but just didn’t realise the huge scale of the city. Although with the help of the famous London buses I managed to fit almost everything in!
“I started the day with a trip to the London Eye and went on from there to see Big Ben, 10 Downing Street, the British History Museum, Buckingham Palace, Guard Square and Camden Market. It really was a fantastic day and it was great to see the famous landmarks I’ve seen in films and on TV. I think the Positive Action initiative is such a brilliant idea, all the staff have great fun together and it really does help to build team spirit.”
Nik Basran, Group Marketing Manager for The Authentic Food Company, comments: “We started the Positive Action initiative in 2004 as part of our company commitment to rewarding our highly valued staff. Members of the scheme have the opportunity to take part in the decision-making process for company days out and for how we raise and allocate funds for charitable donations. The success of the project has continued to grow year on year, and I’m always surprised to hear some of the creative and unique events and ideas that the team put forward.”
2006
Authentic's Taste of the Orient
Building on its reputation as a supplier of quality Oriental foods, The Authentic Food Company is launching a five-strong range of Gyozas – traditional Japanese gourmet dumplings.
Created by in-house development Chef Robert Gong, these latest additions to the popular Oriental portfolio include:
• Bok Choy Vegetable Gyoza
• Pork Yuk Sung Gyoza
• Spicy Chicken Gyoza
• Peking Duck Gyoza
• Oriental Prawn Gyoza.
The company has an excellent reputation for producing authentic, hand made Oriental snacks from China and Thailand. The development chefs looked to Japan for inspiration and decided to launch their own range of Gyozas. The dumplings consist of a meat, fish or vegetable filling, wrapped into an Oriental style hot water pastry.
In eight minutes, the Gyozas can be prepared and steamed from frozen, then shallow fried in a tablespoon of olive oil over a gentle heat until golden brown for enhanced presentation. Ideal for buffets, platters and combos, the dumplings can alternatively be deep fried in just three to four minutes.
In addition to the Oriental range, The Authentic Food Company also offers cuisines under Indian, Tex-Mex, Mediterranean and Gastro-Pub brands, plus a unique selection of foods designed specifically for children.
September 2006
Authentic Extends Starters Offering
Offering the right mix of starters on a menu can be a challenging task. So, to help restaurants/pubs add new and exciting options to their menus and increase their choice of starters, The Authentic Food Company is launching three innovative spring rolls under its popular Mediterranean and Oriental ranges.
The Asparagus, Spring Onion and Cashew Cigar, Tuna Nicoise Roman Candle and Sweet Chilli Chicken Baton are attractive options to instantly update any menu. These versatile dishes can be placed alongside other, more traditional starters to enhance outlets’ offerings and to provide an option for every taste.
As part of The Authentic Food Company’s recently upgraded Oriental range, the 45g Sweet Chilli Chicken Baton is a seven inch spring roll filled with minced chicken and flavoured with a tangy, sweet chilli sauce. Easy to prepare, the baton can be deep fried at 170?C from frozen until golden brown in just three to four minutes, and served on a bed of salad.
The Asparagus, Spring Onion and Cashew Cigar (50g), a spring roll filled with crushed cashew nuts, Thai flavoured asparagus and coriander, and the Tuna Nicoise Roman Candle (40g), a candle style spring roll with tuna, anchovy and green beans are available as part of the Mediterranean range. Both these dishes can also be deep fried from frozen at 170?C making them easy to prepare options for busy chefs.
The attractive handmade appearance of these products adds to their authenticity and their versatility, and gives chefs the option of presenting them together or with other dishes as part of a buffet or combo platter.
Lee Tynan, Food Innovation and Development Controller at The Authentic Food Company, created these dishes with the company’s team of development chefs. He comments:
“Outlets are expected to provide a choice of meat, fish and vegetable dishes that are interesting, appealing and tasty, but which also compliment the main course selection.
“Customers’ main perception of spring rolls is that they exclusively belong to the Oriental range, so we decided to launch two new products as part of our successful Mediterranean range, creating a fusion of these popular cuisines. The Asparagus, Spring Onion and Cashew Cigar and Tuna Nicoise Roman Candle are great options for outlets that are looking for versatile products that can either be served on their own as a starter or combined with other dishes to create a sharing platter.
May 2006
Authentic's 'Can Do Culture' wins fourth IIP in a row
The Authentic Food Company has been awarded the Investors In People Standard for the fourth time in a row in recognition of the company’s continuing focus on the way it manages its employees.
The business currently employs over 170 people, with its workforce increasing by around a third since the last IIP review in 2003. Despite this phenomenal level of growth, The Authentic Food Company’s attention has not been diverted away from the training and development of its employees, and it received praise from the IIP Assessors in particular for its strong culture of mutual respect and empowerment, commitment to providing equality of opportunity for people to learn and open channels of communication.
Another impressive achievement was seen to be the company’s success in passing information down from the senior management team to the workforce, as there are currently people from 22 different nationalities employed across its Sharston and Stockport sites. Regular performance appraisals, clear measurement criteria and a strong ‘team’ philosophy also helped The Authentic Food Company towards achieving its goal of a fourth successive Investors In People Standard.
Parminder Basran, Business Controller at The Authentic Food Company, said:
“We are very proud of this achievement, not just because we have another accolade to add to our list, but because this recent success demonstrates that we are meeting the needs of our employees. They are a vital force in the current and future growth and the success of the business, therefore it is crucial that they are motivated with regular feedback and encouragement.
“Since we were last awarded the Standard we have not rested on our laurels, but have continued to strive to provide the best working environment. The hard work does not stop here either, we will be investing substantially going forward to ensure that in three years time when we are assessed again we make it five in a row.”
For further details please contact Ruth Entwistle on 0161 495 4117 or log onto www.theauthenticfoodcompany.com
Jan 2006
Authentic Strengthens its Team
The growth of The Authentic Food Company has prompted the appointment of six new members of staff. The additions to the team will support the company’s strategic focus on further developing its business in the frozen food industry. Supporting production and sales on all levels, the new recruits include an NPD process technologist, supply chain manager, production hef, technical services manager, engineer and sales administrator.
Aisling O’Regan has been named as NPD process technologist, working closely with a team of development chefs. Having previously worked in new product development at RF Brookes, she brings a wealth of experience in chilled and frozen ready meals, including curries, pasta, potatoes, marinated meats, fish, rice and vegetables to The Authentic Food Company. Her job will entail co-ordinating the transfer of new product concepts from the test kitchen into the factory, ensuring that legal requirements are met and the quality is maintained at all stages of the process.
Gary Bode joins as supply chain manager, a newly created position that will see him optimising the use of the company’s new computerised stock systems while managing the supply of raw materials and finished goods stock levels. Gary is well prepared for the role having previously worked in the planning and logisitics department at AstraZeneca.
Salil Sharma has been appointed as production chef in the Stockport production facility. His diverse role will span from training people in the kitchens to quality control, as well as assisting with the production of wedding products. Salil’s impressive CV boasts working in some of the top restaurants in India, including Bhukara, which is rated in the top 50 in the world.
Ben Whitely will strengthen the maintenance team in his role as an engineer at the company’s Sharston plant, where approximately 300,000 ready meals are manufactured each week. His 14 years as an engineer at British Vita will make him a valuable addition to the team.
Tim Bate has also joined as technical services manager from TherPhos UK, where he worked for 25 years.
Amy Roberts has been selected as sales administrator, where she will co-ordinate and organise the sales function at head office. She has a degree in International Food and Consumer Studies from Sheffield Hallam University and is looking forward to making an impact in her first graduate sales role.
Parminder Basran, Business Controller comments: “The recruitment of six new employees is a reflection of The Authentic Food Company’s success and our investment in our product portfolio and corporate strategy. Each will bring a wealth of experience and fresh ideas to the team, strengthening the business as a whole. Increasing our workforce will enable us to continue to grow as a company and consolidate our position as the leading supplier of fine foods to the foodservice sector.”