Frozen food distributor Central Foods has launched a ruby chocolate & raspberry cheesecake for the foodservice sector.

The vegetarian and gluten-free cake is part of Central Foods’ Menuserve range. It has a gluten-free dark cocoa biscuit base, topped with a fruity ruby chocolate and raspberry cheesecake, finished with a layer of dark chocolate ganache swirled with ruby chocolate.

Dubbed the fourth type of chocolate, ruby chocolate was unveiled by Barry Callebaut in September 2017. It is made from the unique ruby cocoa bean and is described as having an intense fruity taste and characteristic reddish colour. Since then, it has popped up in several baked items, including in a chocolate cheesecake as part of pizza chain Zizzi’s autumn menu and as a Ruby Chocolate KitKat.

“We have been committed to extending our free-from range for the foodservice sector by continually adding new gluten-free options and we are very pleased to be unveiling this new dessert,” said Gordon Lauder, MD of Central Foods.

“The Menuserve Ruby Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake is very creamy, but not too sweet, and showcases one of the most stylish ingredients for 2019 – ruby chocolate.”

He added that frozen desserts played a key role in most foodservice kitchens, helping to reduce waste and save money.

The business, which is based at Collingtree near Northampton, supplies more than 400 different lines into the foodservice sector, including bakery items, canapes, desserts and puddings. It currently sells to more than 220 independent wholesalers, as well as larger national and regional wholesalers, and foodservice caterers across the industry, including schools, bars, restaurants, hotels, garden centres, cafés and other outlets.