All British Baker articles in January 2009 – Page 5
-
News
Super soups
On a cold winter’s day there are few things more comforting than a hearty bowl of soup. And for a light summer lunch, a flavourful consommé or a healthy bisque can be the ideal alternative to a plain sandwich or meagre salad - not to mention as a snack at ...
-
News
In Short
Northern Foods’ bakery division has seen solid seasonal demand over Christmas, according to its interim statement for the 13 weeks ended 27 December 2008. Underlying revenue was up 1.9%, with average prices increasing by 2%. The food firm also noted a good performance for its own-label and Matthew Walker puddings.== ...
-
News
In Short
== Contactless Pret ==Pret A Manger has become the latest company to adopt contactless payment systems. The high-street sandwich chain is to launch the integrated system following a successful seven-store trial in London. The system allows customers to pay for items totalling £10 or less by swiping their card across ...
-
News
In Short
== It’s breakfast time ==The 10th annual Farmhouse Breakfast Week, run by the HGCA, will take place from 25-31 January 2009. Hundreds of events are expected to take place across the country, aimed at making people think more about the importance of breakfast. Bakers could promote toast, crumpets or ...
-
News
In Short
== Greggs’ sales rise ==Greggs’ like-for-like group sales rose 5.3% over the Christmas period, according to its latest trading update. Sales growth for the four weeks to 3 January 2009 were higher than in previous months. In the 28 weeks to 27 December 2008, the bakery chain’s like-for-like sales increased ...
-
News
Seasonal seller
Oranges are at their best at this time of year and there are many varieties to choose from. For example, the bitter Seville or marmalade orange, the somewhat gruesomely named, but delicious blood orange or navel orange are just a few and they can all be used creatively in baking.The ...
-
News
Season retains sparkle
Astraw poll of bakeries up and down the country has revealed that the meltdown on the high street witnessed by non-food retailers has not yet infected bakery retailers. While many felt twitchy throughout December, the last few days before Christmas came good, with sales often matching - or even exceeding ...
-
News
Walkers’ ray of sunshine
Walkers is aiming to boost the profile of its SunBites brand with a new flavour and on-pack promotion in the New Year.The Sun Ripened Sweet Chilli flavour has been picked in response to consumer trials and will be available in standard 28g packs. Launched in September 2007, the brand is ...
-
News
Seed pricing
== Pine nuts: ==It is increasingly likely that prevailing demand will be affected by prices being pushed up exponentially. Pine nuts are almost certain to see diminishing demand, but the extent and timing of this fall remains to be seen. Fuelled by the stronger dollar, prices have been pushed close ...
-
News
Perfect your paninis
What can you do that’s new with a panini? Good question. Speed up the delivery, perhaps? Experiment with flavours? Or how about selling one that doesn’t dislodge your fillings?For such a well-established product, too many operators continue to get it wrong. "What tends to happen is the bread gets over-cooked, ...
-
News
Reporting in New Year, new opportunity
After a difficult second half of 2008, I know I’m not the only one hoping for a better year ahead. Unfortunately, it looks like the economy will be getting worse before it gets better. That means more tough times ahead for FPB members.The FPB runs a helpline for members to ...
-
News
Mouthing off
"Other kids get their cake. I get a hard time. It’s not fair to my children. How can a name be offensive?"- Heath Campbell from New Jersey grumbles - somewhat misguidedly, we feel - when his local bakery refuses to decorate a birthday cake with the name of his three-year-old ...
-
News
A quest to invest
CSM’s new Innovation Centre (IC) is all about... well, innovation. But what issues will the bakery supplier be looking at when it comes to long-standing products, such as cookies, brownies and doughnuts and how they can be developed? "Everybody knows there are doughnut rings and ball doughnuts, and everybody knows ...
-
News
In the market for... healthy living
By Wayne CaddyWell, it’s certainly no coincidence that, on the back of numerous New Year’s resolutions made to strive towards healthier lifestyles in 2009, we may have a boost to help us along.Change4Life is the kickstart of a major campaign launch by the Department of Health. The campaign is a ...
-
News
Get redundancy right
According to a recent survey conducted by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development and KPMG, employers who were holding off making redundancies have reconsidered their position as a result of deteriorating economic conditions.Twenty-six per cent of responding employers reported having contingency plans to make new or further redundancies in the ...
-
News
Future view
"At the moment, things haven’t slowed down that much in terms of basic food sales and petrol is cheaper than it was six months ago. From a general trade point of view, we have to be careful not to talk ourselves down too much. We have to keep positive and ...
-
News
Future view
"Against the background of a recession and acute financial problems, I would like to see a radical change in attitude within the banking industry towards bakers in particular. A greater understanding of the problems faced by bakers and a greater willingness to lend are needed, and I hope the many ...
-
News
Impress focuses on quality
Independently-run firm Impress Sandwiches has launched its new range in response to an increasing demand for premium quality and added-value sandwich products from catering and retail operators.The line consists of 70 sandwiches, wraps, ciabatta, sub rolls, savoury muffins, giant croissants and paninis. Items come in 100% biodegradable cardboard wedges.Impress supplies ...
-
News
Nutrixo offers to purchase Premier firms
Premier Foods has confirmed it has received an offer for its Le Pain Croustillant and Sofrapain businesses from French company Nutrixo, parent of Moul-Bie and Délifrance UK. Nutrixo is partly owned by farming co-operatives and partly by its own employees.The offer is "for a cash consideration of approximately £8m on ...
-
News
Food execs sidelining green issues
Environmental and corporate social responsibilty (CSR) issues have plummeted down the agenda as the UK’s leading food executives turn their sights on dealing with the economic downturn.According to a new report, based on interviews with over 250 executives from across the food supply chain, sustainability and environmental issues went from ...