REGIONAL FOCUS NORTH OF ENGLAND SPECIAL
The only way is up
The North of England Infused with a bouquet of over ten botanicals, Yan Gin (RRP £35 for 70cl) from Herdwick Distillery is the latest addition to Lakeland Artisan’s portfolio. Fell Tonic (RRP £1.90 for 33cl) made from Cumbrian fell water, Cinchona bark, lemongrass and other natural botanicals is the perfect foil for this smallbatch London dry gin. lakelandartisan.co.uk
Benji’s Bites is a new range of toddler food that promises both nutrition and convenience. The meals are frozen in small cubes so they can be quickly microwaved. The 10-strong range includes ‘Mains’ such as Veggie Chilli and Mild Chicken & Veg Curry, and ‘Carbs’ such as Cauliflower & Mixed Rice and Mixed Grains. Each compostable pouch contains 12x30g cubes. RRP £6-9. benjisbites.co.uk
In time for Christmas, Carlisle-based Xocolate has launched its Medjoul Date Collection. The dates are paired with six different handmade fillings and coated in Belgian chocolate. Varieties include White Chocolate with Strawberry Ganache, Milk Chocolate with Salted Caramel Ganache, and Dark Chocolate Coffee Mousse. RRP £8.49 for a box of six. xocolate.co.uk
The Fine Cheese Co. is carrying two new cheeses from Northern cheesemakers. Creamy, smooth Old Roan from The Home Farmer Dairy in Yorkshire is the only raw milk Wensleydale to come from Wensleydale. The other new addition, Lady Grey, is made in batches of only 16 cheeses by St James Cheese in Cumbria, with each one different from the last. finecheese.co.uk
Lost Barn Coffee has rolled out sustainable packaging options for its wholesale customers. Retailers, cafés and hospitality venues can now have their beans delivered in refillable airtight containers, which are swapped out when empty (for local customers) or refilled from compostable paper bags for those further afield. The Cheshire roastery has also created refillable metal tins for retail situations. lostbarncoffee.co.uk
Clotton Hall Dairy has expanded its range to take in Fresh Luxury Custard and Clotted Cream Rice Pudding. The Cheshire producer is pitching its range as the perfect dairy selection for any farm shop or food hall. Both have an RRP of £3.99 for 500ml and are produced on-site using milk from the farm’s free-range dairy herd. clottonhalldairy.co.uk
The Yorkshire Crisp Company has partnered with Sacchi Tartufi in Italy to develop a truffle seasoning for its potato crisps. Italian Summer Truffle crisps launched this summer in a 100g drum as the first flavour in the company’s new Gourmet Range. yorkshirecrisps.co.uk
Belle & Herbs is a new fermentary, specialising in smallbatch, handmade fermented foods – think pickled red onions, dill gherkins, pink pickled mouli, preserved lemons, kimchi and sauerkraut. Belle & Herbs was originally founded as a restaurant in 2003 by chef duo Sam Storey and Pan Phyu Phyu Hmwe. belleandherbs.farm
Tipped as the secret to making “amazing Southern fried chicken at home with no fuss”, Wingman is the latest seasoning to come out of Rub & Roll’s Cheshire kitchen. RRP is £8.99; wholesale price £5.50 per unit. rubandroll.co.uk
Rather than concentrate on a single category, FFD has gone geographical this month. In keeping with our issue’s theme, we’ve rounded up a host of new launches from the North of England. Whether it’s cheese, coffee or even rum, this bountiful region has buyers covered. Compiled by Lynda Searby
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September-October 2021 | Vol.22 Issue 8
