What's "Hot" this week in new product launches!

Hello GRATE readers,

I don’t know about you, but the past week of sunshine has had me fully leaning into summer mode. Outdoor morning coffees, BBQ's, ice cream queues everywhere and supermarkets suddenly bursting with colourful salads, lighter snacks and picnic-ready bits. You can really feel consumer behaviour shifting with the weather, and with that comes some brilliant innovation across food and drink.

This week’s top picks are a bit of a mixed bag — products, formats and concepts I’ve spotted over the last few weeks that genuinely stood out. Some are solving for convenience, some are tapping into wellness, and others are simply reminding us that food innovation should still feel exciting and joyful.

Here are five things I think are worth talking about right now…

As always, enjoy the read and the rest of your week.

I'm off to Bloom in Phoenix Park, so might see you there ;)

Annie x

CEDRIC GROLET'S POPCORN DESSERT

One of my all-time favourite pastry chefs, Cedric Grolet, is at it again. Known globally for constantly pushing the boundaries of modern patisserie, his Paris stores are less bakery, more immersive food experience. His latest popcorn-inspired dessert is a perfect example of why he remains so influential — playful, hyper-realistic, technically brilliant and instantly social-media worthy. Innovation in desserts increasingly needs to deliver theatre and emotion, and Grolet consistently nails both. Check out his TikTok Video on how he made it.

FORTNUM & MASON'S BISCUITORIUM

Fortnum & Mason have launched “The Biscuitorium”, a dedicated biscuit concept that transforms an everyday treat into something far more theatrical and premium. The range includes everything from beautifully decorated biscuits to “The Whoppalossus” — a biscuit of extraordinary proportions that leans fully into indulgence and playful gifting. It’s a clever reminder that consumers are still craving affordable luxury and escapism, with brands creating excitement through storytelling, scale and experience as much as flavour itself.

TESCO CHOPPED SALAD KIT RANGE

Really interesting to see Tesco leaning further into chopped salad kits. Last week, they launched UK’s first ever US-style Chopped Salad Kits, with three ready-to-toss varieties combining pre-chopped greens, dressings and crunchy toppings for maximum texture and flavour in minutes. They tap perfectly into growing demand for convenience-led, healthier meal solutions that still feel exciting and satisfying. It’s a smart response to changing eating habits, where consumers want quick, fresh, “assembled not cooked” meals without compromising on flavour or experience.

GLENILEN FARM YOGHURT POUCHES

Three years ago, Glenilen Farm launched the first yoghurt pouch into the Irish market, and they’ve continued to evolve the format with new 500g and 1kg pouch sizes. For a family-run West Cork business so rooted in traditional farming values and natural ingredients, it’s a brilliant example of balancing heritage with modern consumer needs. The pouch format reduces packaging, improves convenience and responds to growing demand for larger, more functional family-sized formats without losing the premium feel Glenilen is known for.

BALLYGOWAN B - ACTIVE CAFFEINE WATER

Ballygowan has entered the functional drinks space with Ballygowan B, Ireland’s first locally produced caffeine water. Completely sugar-free and available in two flavours — Tropical Rush and Berry Blast — each bottle contains 75mg of natural caffeine designed to support mental focus and alertness. Functional hydration continues to gather serious momentum, and it’s especially interesting seeing established water brands move into this space as consumers increasingly look for drinks that deliver both refreshment and added benefits.