NEW INNOVATIONS IN FOOD

MARCH 2023

WEEK 10

INFORMAL IS IN!

The infamous Claridges Hotel has opened the doors to its first-ever cafe, in a move designed to add a more relaxed dining concept to the five star hotel. A sign that the formal/stiffer style of dining is having a make-over! The ArtSpace Cafe includes interiors by British designer John Pawson, The café features a patisserie counter, marble communal tables and entry down to Claridge’s ArtSpace — a vast gallery with rotating exhibitions which has its own dedicated entrance on Brook's Mews will be open daily for breakfast and lunch. It has its own dedicated entrance on Brook’s Mews, will be open daily for breakfast and lunch. Worth a visit when you next in London ;)

SUPPORTING A HEALTHY MICROBIOME

This is a big area of focus right now as consumers learn more and more about the power of the gut. So I am constantly testing and trailling new products in this space. Its why I wanted to put the spotlight on this one, Poly Pro Flora, a unique blend of pre-biotic fibers and targeted polyphenols to help support a healthy microbiome. Only a week in to taking it, and I'm already feeling the benefits. Available in Planet Organic

FROZEN READY MEAL VENDING

Although they are not the first business to do this, independently owned and ethically run business COOK announced yesterday that it is rolling out the UK's first smart frozen ready-meals vending machine, alongside a bold plan to work with progressive businesses and institutions to provide a healthy home-cooked meals where there is limited availability of quality prepared food.

DAIRY FREE VEGAN WHIPPED CREAM

Costa Coffee has launched a vegan whipped cream on all its menus. Offering four dairy-free milk options, soy, almond, coconut and oat. Dubbed "Light Whip", the dairy-free whipped cream alternative can be added to any handmade drink.

INSPIRATION IN THOSE EVERYDAY DISCOUNTED FOOD ITEMS

A great new initiative to help you make the most of any random combination of reduced "yellow sticker" ingredients. Designed by Uncommon, the app gives consumers an easy and accessible solution to help find inspiration in discounted foods. Fuller bellies and fuller pockets. A great example of providing solutions to consumers in a cost of living crisis.

WEEK 8

CHEF JANICE WONG - PURE IMAGINATION

As we approach a busy season for Chocolate & Confectionery, I'm sharing one of my favourite chocolate brands. Chef Janice Wong is based in Singapore, and is a celebrated pastry chef across the world. Her tagline; “Your world is your imagination” explains her concept and product offering exceptionally well. Each hand crafted dessert confectionery is a true work of art, both in visual form and in taste. Almost too pretty to eat, yet utterly delicious and well balanced. Needless to say, these make for great gifts too.

ME AULD FLOWER - FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL

Me Auld Flower is a new Irish food & drink festival by the people behind Big Grill, located in the historic fruit & veg market in the heart of Dublin. In association with St Patrick’s Festival 2023 programme, it is the first-of-its-kind in the venue. The festival brings the best of Ireland together under one roof with a modern take on Irish food & drink culture. The event will focus on a mix of restaurants, chefs, producers, distillers, brewers and makers.

RAW SHOTS FROM NO HURT NO HARM

I came across these little beauties by accident this week, and the lady in the store told me they were her best seller from the fridge. I was shocked with how good they tasted. Finally a shot that has not been heated or frozen and tastes just like it should. Not masked with sweet apple juice base or any hidden added ingredients. Try them, order directly on-line, they are FABULOUS.

PLASTIC FREE EASTER EGGS FROM WAITROSE

Waitrose has reduced its packaging for this year’s Easter confectionery range, cutting its overall packaging weight by almost 20% and saving close to one metric ton of plastic going to landfill. Plastic windows have been replaced by cardboard and foil packing across nearly the entirety of its own-label range, and stopped using plastic trays for nearly all of its Easter confectionery. It will be interesting to see if consumers accept this more sustainable option.

PLANT-BASED MILK PODS

Necessity breeds invention - Plant-based milk is now available in pods, which is great news for Hotel Rooms and Airlines, as well as perfect for on the Go. Veggie Lait, a French company have just launched this already familiar format, but its got the added of bonus of being fully recyclable, the lid too!

FEBRUARY 2023

WEEK 7

FUNCTIONAL SODAS

Functional sodas are gaining traction, not just for their colourful packaging, but because of their health benefits too, typically containing minerals, vitamins, dietary fibres or adaptogens, among other ingredients. The market is still in its infancy but big things are predicted. Industry watchers believe its growth will be turbocharged when the major soft drinks manufacturers either enter the category, or invest further, through their own product launches or via acquisitions. Read more about what's driving the trend here

OLIVE OIL IN COFFEE

Starbucks is launching a range which will be sold exclusively in Italy. The Oleato range is comprised on an iced espresso, an olive oil latte "steamed" with oat milk, and a cold brew with an infusion of extra virgin Partanna oil with a sweet vanilla cream foam. Using olive oil in hot, caffeinated drinks is a bold move, interesting to see if it launches into further markets.

A CAVIAR DELI

Renowned Parisian caviar institution Petrossian has opened a deli boutique in SW3 in London. It displays Petrossian's century-old spirit of sophistication and savoir-faire to the full. Knowledgable staff are on hand to offer advice and expertise in choosing their caviar, smoked salmon and other fine delicacies.

HIGH PROTEIN ++ GUT FRIENDLY

It's a big trend in the snacking arena right now. And here's a really delicious example. Gutfulness is the UK's first certified low FODMAP protein bar made with five ingredients. Plant-based, gluten free and no artificial sweeteners. FODMAP in case you wondered are a collection of short chain carbohydrates and sugar alcohols naturally found in foods or food additives

NUTRIENT RICH FOG INSTEAD OF SOIL TO GROW CROPS

A UK company, Airponix says its fog-based technology is achieving yields 50x that of conventional alternatives per area footprint, and has the ability to grow nutritious food crops with 95% less water. Could this be the answer to sustainably enhancing food & nutrition security?

WEEK 6

GLOBAL FIRST MACARON ICE-CREAM COLLECTION

This week sees the launch of a unique collaboration between luxury ice cream maker Haagen Dazs and world-renowned pastry chef Pierre Herme (aka the Picasso of Pastry!). Crunchy chewy mini macaron shells are added to the creamy ice cream, bringing the perfect balance of the dreamy taste of Häagen-Dazs with the Pierre Hermé macaron's signature almond flavour. The range includes three different flavours of ice cream: Strawberry & Raspberry, Double Chocolate Ganache, and Yuzu & Lemon

GENETIC TESTING

Genetic testing has been an emerging trend, and is now becoming more accessible in the UK. Holland & Barrett have partnered with genetics start-up DnaNudge to offer customers an on-the-spot cheek swab (£100), which is then used to map a person's genetic profile, aiding customers to purchase products that are a good match for their DNA based on nutrition-related health traits.

TURNING A COMMODITY INTO A COMMUNITY

I'm loving this female led brand, Citizens of Soil, which I came across in the latest Raye the Store Pop Up Grocery Store on Regent Street. Packed with polyphenols, this small batch Greek extra virgin olive oil practices regenerative farming with minimal intervention. They work on a refill basis to reduce waste. It does cost more than a bottle of wine, but it is so worth it.

IRISH WASABI

Irish Wasabi is now available commerically. This week McCormack Family Farm in partnership with Beotanics, an Irish plant-based food & crop development specialist, announced the launch of Irish Wasabi. One of the most challenging crops to cultivate and harvest, it's fantastic to see that the hard work between this partnership has paid off. I can't wait to see it on more menus, as a garnish or salad ingredient, and my favourite way, pickled!

ADAPTOGENS ON THE RISE

Adaptogens help the body respond to stress, anxiety, fatigue and overall wellbeing. The adaptogens market size is expected to grow to €15.3 billion in 2027 at a CAGR 9.5%. So its, no surprise there is a lot of innovation in this space right now. Spacegoods is a great example. They are on a mission to unlock your superpowers using the potent abilities of all natural mushrooms.

WEEK 5

NEW LUXURY COMFORT FOOD

Chef duo Gabriel Verheij and Alexandre Scour have been making a name for themselves in Amsterdam for some time now, having carried out a series of collabs and pop ups together. Now, they're coming to Notting Hill, London with a new concept restaurant "The Butter Club" aka TBC, which will include the food that's garnered them a cult following in the Dutch capital. We're talking fried buttermilk chicken brioche feuiletee, and inventive square croissants filled with decadent ingredients (pictured below). Other dishes include: BBQ langoustine & Sichuan butter sauce, Yakitori Leek or Maitake Mushroom with po. Hokkaido milk bread lobster roll......making you hungry???

OPTIMISED HYDRATION

Optimised hydration is a key health & nutrition trend for 2023. Hydration has evolved from water or traditional sports drinks to broad array of electrolyte powders, oral rehydration solutions, or products that make drinking water more exciting. Waterdrop (pictured) is a great example, convenient sized fruit and plant extracts compressed in the shape of a small cube. And they taste great.

MARBLED PLANT-BASED STEAK FROM WAITROSE

Just in time for Valentines, Waitrose has become the first grocery store in the UK to sell plant-based filet mignon aimed at capturing the attention of both carnivores and vegans alike. And the products will be sold on the same shelf as animal meat steaks. Made from soy and wheat protein and contain nuggets of hardened sunflower oil, each piece will retail for £10 per 225g.

CIRCULAR FOOD CO. - A NEW EXCITING VENTURE

A new venture, called the Circular Food Co. launched this week, by the founders of Bia Sol, Ruairi and Niamh, aiming to help food brands and companies with their mission on becoming more sustainable by using functional upcycled ingredients. If your business needs natural colours, flavours or nutritional benefits for your foods, check them out

REIMAGINING COFFEE AS THE ULTIMATE MENTAL WELLNESS DRINK

Reimagining coffee as the ultimate mental wellness drink - that's what Jeffrey Dietrich, CEO of Rarebird has done, by introducing the world's first true caffeine alternative, paraxanthine (Px) Fueled by the optimism that we can create a better future, he formulated an improved coffee ritual to empower people to seize the day and achieve improved wellness.