SHELF TALK

Cornish plant-based ice-cream brand gets new name and refreshed look

By Tom Dale

Cornwall-based vegan ice-cream maker Coconuts Organic has announced a rebrand and name change to Cecily’s ahead of major NPD announcements this year.

The plant-based ice-cream company, which recently closed a third crowdfunding round early, has designed its new packs to make more of the founder Cecily Mills’ Cornish heritage and re ect more of herself in the brand.

“The rebrand has been on the cards for a long time,” said Mills, “but then in lockdown we were looking at where we wanted to take the we were looking at where we wanted to take the brand, how we wanted to diversify products in brand, how we wanted to diversify products in the future, and it suddenly the time was the future, and it suddenly the time was

Chunk of Devon are launching a Ploughman’s Pasty and new vegan Ploughman’s Pasty ready for British Summertime.

Containing all the key ingredients of a traditional ploughman’s lunch including ham, cheese, apple and a dollop of the nation’s favourite, Branston pickle.

They will be available for nationwide delivery from 28th March from chunkofdevon. co.uk with an RRP of £3.50 per pasty (box of 8 – £28.00).

chunkofdevon.co.uk right to detach from Coconuts Organic.”

The new image and name, said the founder, gives the brand more scope to develop new products and use di erent milks in the future.

Mills said that the decision also came about because of a desire to put more of herself into the brand. “We wanted to get across that this is my passion, I started this in the annexe of my house in Cornwall – this is me and it’s my product and I love it so much.”

With a swathe of new lines in the pipeline and yet to be announced, Mills revealed one product she is particularly excited about, Lovely Little Bites – bite-sized pieces of icecream – designed to be eaten like chocolates from a box. “We’ve had a really positive response from buyers that have sampled them,” she said. she said.

“There’s nothing in the freezer at the “There’s nothing in the freezer at the moment from people who want plant-based moment from people who want plant-based snacking options. You have snacking options. You have a tub of ice-cream or a a tub of ice-cream or a stick, but there’s nothing stick, but there’s nothing communal.” communal.” Cecily’s has recently Cecily’s has recently launched into M&S Food, launched into M&S Food, but Mills remains dedicated but Mills remains dedicated to the brand’s relationship to the brand’s relationship with independents, who, she with independents, who, she said, play a huge part in their said, play a huge part in their plans for the future. According plans for the future. According to the founder, the company to the founder, the company plans to launch indie-only plans to launch indie-only ranges in the future. ranges in the future.

cecilys.co

WHAT’S NEW

Kent Crisps has launched a new addition to its range of handcooked snacks, Lamb & Rosemary flavour crisps. In keeping with the brand’s local ethos, the new line uses grass-fed Romney lamb from Kent Shepherd. The new flavour is available in cases of 20 x 40g bags.

kentcrisps.co.uk

Pep & Lekker has rebranded and reworked the recipe of its Seed Snacks to broaden their appeal. The rebrand includes a new recyclable pack and the recipe change has replaced sunflower oil with olive oil and reduced the chia seeds, also adding date syrup to the sweet options.

pepandlekker.com

Devon-based Sandford Orchards has launched a collection of vintage ciders; a cask-aged cider, ‘Sandford Reserve’, a fresh oak-finished cider, ‘Apple & Oak’ and a vataged cider, ‘The General’. RRP £32.00 for 12 x 500ml bottles..

sandfordorchards. co.uk

Chocolatier hopes to inject ethics into the industry

A new brand is hoping its range of unique bean-to-bar chocolate will inspire a more ethical approach across the industry.

Wnder’s founder Luke Pearson said that child labour, slavery and environmental exploitation are still rife in the cacao industry, despite many attempts by the larger companies to combat the problems. Wnder aims to give consumers con dence that they are “doing the right thing while maintaining avour and quality.”

“Why wouldn’t you want an ethical brand?” he said. “Modern chocolate should absolutely be doing the right thing in terms of the way cacao is grown, how the people who process the incredible beans are treated and how as a business we can give back.”

Pearson said the brand aims to work with lesser-known cacaos, which was behind the decision to launch the Papua New Guinean bar. “It’s known to be di cult to work with but returns massively with unique umami smokey notes,” he said.

Launching last year with two varieties – Vineyard from Nicaragua and Camp re from Papua New Guinea – and has recently unveiled a range of drinking chocolates harking back to the origins of the delicacy.

The 65g bars have an RRP of £6.95 (wholesale price: £124, 30x65g) and Wnder’s drinking chocolates RRP at £14 and £19 (trade, £7.50 and £10) for its 69% and 100% Guatemalan respectively (both 150g).

wnderchocolate.com

WHAT’S NEW

The Cotswold Liquorice Company has introduced a new range of individually wrapped liquorice sticks to its range of ethical, palm oilfree sweets. The sticks come in four flavours: Traditional Black, Strawberry, Caramel and Liquorice with a Chocolate fondant centre. A box of 24 sticks costs £10.80 (trade) and sticks RRP at £1.

blackliquoricecompany.com

Seggiano has launched its Unbelievably Gluten has launched its Unbelievably Gluten Free pasta, that “tastes just like the real thing”. Made with Dolomites spring water and 100% Italian rice and corn, the two varieties – Cavatappi and Tagliatelle – are vegan and made without binding agents or or emulsifiers. RRP £2.85-£3

seggiano.com

Aiming to change the way we enjoy drinking chocolate, Cacao Brew is a cacao drink that is roasted, ground and brewed like coffee. The brand currently has three varieties: Peruvian criollo cacao, Guatemalan singleorigin cacao from Alta Verapaz and Indian single-origin from the Idukki region.

cacaobrew.co.uk

My magic ingredient

Olives et Al Egyptian Style Spiced Dukkah

SANGITA TRYNER

Founder, Delilah Fine Foods

I use so many lines from the shop at home, but I use dukkah nearly every day. Olives et Al’s Egyptian Style Spiced Dukkah is the go-to version.

I always have a generous sprinkle of dukkah on top of on my smashed avocado and, with some chilli and salt, it honestly just changes the whole dish.

I also do a lot of cooking and marinading with it too, in all sorts of dishes.

It even works well sprinkled on top of some yoghurt and harissa as a little snack to keep away from carbs.

My hubby loves it, the kids all love it, even at the ages of 11 or 12 they love it – it’s like tomato ketchup in our house.

The whole family can’t get enough of it. Sangita gets her dukkah from Olives et Al, available direct or through wholesalers such as Cotswold Fayre

Cuoco launches in independents with an array of chocolate biscuits

By Michael Lane

A Somerset biscuit-maker has completely overhauled its branding and is looking to establish itself through the independent trade with a range made using sustainable chocolate.

From this month, Percy’s Bakery will be known as Cuoco and its 10-strong range of chocolate biscuits will be available to delis and farm shops via several major distributors.

The line-up from the Yeovilbased company – which already counts Harrods and Selfridges among its customers – includes two varieties of Florentines (milk and dark chocolate), three shortbread varieties enrobed in chocolate and topped with chocolate curls (white, dark and milk) and Sticks (orange chocolate nger biscuits).

There are also milk and dark chocolate Thins (salted caramel discs coated in chocolate) and two types of Centres – biscuits topped with ganache and covered in chocolate.

“There are not many new brands that pop up in the world of biscuits,” said founder Liam Pithers. “It’s such an under-innovated category. And we’re not coming in with just a nice biscuit, we’re coming in with a super special one.”

All of the biscuits are produced with 100% sustainable chocolate from Belgium-based supplier Barry Callebaut. “The main thing we’re shouting about in all our products is chocolate and if we’re doing that, the chocolate needs a story,” said Pithers, adding that the new brand’s name – which means ‘cook’ in Italian – is a nod to both his che ng background and the key ingredient, cocoa. Paul Vita, Cuoco’s commercial director, told FFD that the independent market was the main focus for the launch. “That’s the heritage this business comes from,” he said. “It will help us learn about what sells best.”

Distributors already listing the Cuoco range are Cotswold Fayre, Holleys Fine Foods and Diverse Fine Food. The RRP is £3.50-£4 per pack.

cuoco.co.uk

It’s like tomato ketchup in our house – the whole family can’t get enough of it

Inspired by founders Tessa and Robin Gerlach’s adventures in Africa is Elephant Gin which combines rare African botanicals to create its range of award-winning handcrafted premium gins that give back to African elephant conservation.

Elephant Gin is launching its newest creation, Orange Cocoa gin (RRP £31 per 500ml bottle; 40% ABV).

The new line combines the brand’s The new line combines the brand’s London Dry Gin – containing 14 botanicals – and combined it with vacuum-distilled, vacuum-distilled, fresh, organic fresh, organic Spanish oranges and roasted cocoa beans to create a bright, zesty and velvety flavour profile. elephantgin.com

MEET THE PRODUCER

Matthew Slaughter founded MATTHEW’S PRESERVED after a breakdown forced him to leave his career. His range of jams, jellies and chutneys has since gone on to win a raft of awards including a Startisan of the Year Golden Fork in Great Taste 2019.

What were you doing before you launched Matthew’s Preserved?

I was an environmental and chartered waste manager at the start of 2018, but a massive mental breakdown forced me to walk away from my profession. I spent the rest of the year recovering and ended it signing on with no clear path ahead of me.

Why did you decide to launch the brand?

A mixture of reasons. My wife Lisa and my family actively encouraged me to sell the preserves I loved making but with the intention of giving me a purpose in life, and a meeting with the father of one of my good friends who used to own a preserves business. He tasted my Spicy Pineapple Chutney and told me I had to sell it and I had to enter the Great Taste awards. I’m glad I listened to him!

jams and jellies which are full of flavours – even the rare ones such as crab-apple and quince. This was something that my mum did every year growing up and it’s something I have continued. The chutneys, on the other hand, were mostly born out of my love of curry and using exotic fruits. I wanted to be different from the other chutney producers and be unique in a flooded market. What is the biggest lesson My business was born Why is it important to you to donate 10p to Mind UK with the sale of each jar? you have learned since starting the business? because of my I’ve had a lifelong battle with depression anxiety and selfIf you don’t ask you don’t get. There are numerous avenues mental health, esteem and have used the support whenever I required it. of support out there for so it was My business was born because people who have been in the same situation, but not every important to of my mental health, therefore it was important to give one is right. Listen, digest and use what you need. give back something back. Mistakes happen, but like in What is the best thing about life, it won’t be the first or the being a small business? last – so learn and move on. Being my own boss and having all the decisions to make. It’s hard but I like the What makes your preserves stand out challenges that arise and, to use a cliché, every from others on the market? day is different. I love strong flavours and my preserves mirror this. I’m all for experimenting as well, …and the worst? especially with fruits not usually used in the Cleaning. It’s the bane of my life! Especially UK. My banana chutney turns heads and scrubbing chutney splatters off the oven, floor generally, the question is, ‘really, banana?’ and even the ceiling. I’m always asked where I Why did I develop it..? because I wanted a want to be in five years, and “not cleaning” is my chutney to complement my brie and soft chutney to complement my brie and soft go-to answer. cheeses. cheeses.

WHAT’S NEW

Waterdrop has added Mellow Mint to its range of microteas. The brand developed its ‘microtea’, which leaves behind the need for a teabag and brewing time as the drink is brewed from a small dissolvable cube. Mellow Mint has flavours of mint, lemon verbena and a hint of apple.

en.waterdrop.com

Lake district-based adult soft drink startup, Zingi Bear has launched a has launched a new non-alcoholic drink based on switchels – a traditional beverage that was popular in America in the that was popular in America in the 1700s. Inspired by a historic recipe of sparkling water, apple cider vinegar and fresh root ginger, sweetened with organic acacia honey, the drinks are made in small batches with natural, organic ingredients. RRP of £3.50 per 330ml bottle.

zingibear.com

A new player in the fermented hot sauce market,

Orriss & Son

has achieved accreditation from

The Vegan Society.

Its range of three sauces – comprising Even Flow,

My Wave and Fresh Tendrils – has passed the stringent assessment to join the growing number of The Vegan Society approved products. Orriss & Son is now entitled to use the official and globally recognised Vegan Trademark.

orrissandson.com

Bonilla a la Vista has launched its patatas fritas made with just organic Spanish potatoes, extra virgin olive oil and sea salt in new 275g tins. A wholesale case of 6 tins costs £55, with an RRP of £15 per tin.

bonillacrispsuk.co.uk

Why did Why did you decide you decide to make to make traditional traditional jams and jams and jellies but jellies but experiment experiment more more with your with your chutneys? chutneys?

Quite simply, Quite simply, I love British I love British

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What’s next for Matthew’s Preserved?

This year’s goal has been set to getting into more shops and getting away from markets. I want my weekends back to share with my wife and our families (when permitted).Freshly Ground Sponsor advert 2016 print ready.pdf 1 16/08/2016 10:37