Four new delicious vegan and gluten-free products unveiled by Central Foods
It’s now easy for luxury hospitality outlets to cater for diners who opt for vegan or gluten-free dishes, after the launch of four new tempting menu items from frozen food distributor Central Foods.
The new range includes the Menuserve Cauliflower and Lentil Dhal Bundt® with Spiced Mango Chutney and the Menuserve Cajun Spiced Sweet Potato Roulade with Vegan Cream Cheese, Red Pepper and Black Bean Salsa, along with two sweet items – the Menuserve New York Style Baked Cheesecake and the Menuserve Baked Chocolate and Cherry Cheesecake.
All four products are gluten-free and suitable for vegans – helping luxury hospitality operators to satisfy the increasing demand from diners with specific dietary requirements.
“Demand for both vegan and gluten-free options has grown significantly in recent times, and the latest additions to the Central Foods range have been selected carefully to appeal to diners who are looking for either option, or both, as well as being attractive to diners generally,” said Gordon Lauder, MD of frozen food distributor Central Foods.
“Having pre-prepared frozen items to hand that are suitable for those looking for free-from options is extremely useful for all caterers. It will ensure hotels and hospitality outlets avoid being caught out by unexpected demand and that they can fulfil customers’ expectations – something that is so important in the luxury hospitality sector.”
The savoury centre-of-the-plate items give good plate coverage and height, are really tasty, and suitable for anyone looking for something a bit different when eating out, not just vegans and free-from diners. The products come in frozen individual portions, so are a consistent size and shape every time, but both have an attractive artisan appearance. Cook the Menuserve Cauliflower and Lentil Dhal Bundt® with Spiced Mango Chutney in just 3.5 minutes in a combi microwave/oven, or the Menuserve Cajun Spiced Sweet Potato Roulade with Vegan Cream Cheese, Red Pepper and Black Bean Salsa in just 2.5 minutes.
Again, both desserts are gluten-free and vegan. Pre-portioned into 14, the new sweets are deliciously creamy, even though they are vegan, and have a crunchy gluten-free biscuit base. Designed for chefs to top and garnish with their own creations and ideas, the two desserts are delicious, and are suitable for any diners when eating out – not just vegans and free-from diners.
“The statistics show that increasing numbers of people are opting for gluten-free and vegan diets and lifestyles, whether for health or other reasons (according to Kantar Worldpanel 92.1% of the UK population bought free-from products as at April 2018), and we also know that flexitarianism is becoming more popular, with one in three people now cutting down on meat*,” added Gordon.
*Forum for the Future/Counterpoint Dec 2016
Based in Northamptonshire, Central Foods has been supplying frozen food to the foodservice sector for more than 21 years. It currently supplies more than 220 independent wholesalers, as well as larger national and regional wholesalers, and foodservice caterers across the entire foodservice industry.
Offering a one-stop shop to the foodservice sector, Central Foods sources products from around the world and the UK, supplying more than 400 different lines, ranging from meat, bakery items and canapés through to buffet products, desserts and puddings.
For more information about Central Foods, visit www.centralfoods.co.uk
