Golden Fork from the Midlands

THE SHAPE SHIFTERS

GCL Ingredients undertook extensive market research to develop their winning pasta.

WHEN YOU ORDER a wild mushroom tortellini or a ravioli di Capri from a high street Italian restaurant, the chances are that that the filled pasta wasn’t made on the premises. Pre-Brexit, it probably wasn’t even made in the UK, as most restaurants imported their pasta products from Italy.

However, the UK’s departure from the EU has disrupted the entire food service supply chain, making importing problematic.

For GCL Ingredients, a Nottinghamshire-based food producer, this represents an opportunity to put British pasta on the map. However, convincing buyers is a challenge, admits Justin Akpa, the company’s head of food development.

“There isn’t much confidence in buying British when it comes to pasta,” says Justin. “That is why we have made it our mission to champion British pasta. We want to be seen as being able to produce equal if not better flavours than produced in Italy.”

In order to meet this challenge, the company is investing in consumer insight and trendsdriven New Product Development, with ‘Nduja & Honey Mezzaluna the first product of this new strategy.

“‘Nduja & Honey Mezzaluna was inspired by our food trends research in 2021. We saw that hot honey was trending and knew this works well with smoky meats, giving a hot, spicy kick,” says Justin.

In an area of the market where traditional flavour combinations such as ricotta & spinach dominate, Nduja & Honey Mezzaluna is a welcome innovation.

Whilst GCL can and does produce on a large scale, ‘Nduja & Honey Mezzaluna is made in small (100-150kg) batches due to its premium positioning.

“Our main customers for this product are local independent restaurants, including Luigi’s in Arnold and Portobello in Carlton,” says Justin. The production process is ‘part automated’, deploying two pasta making techniques: extrusion and lamination. “Lamination is essentially what you would do with a roller when making pasta at home - it results in a better texture,” explains Justin. The filling is a marriage of Italian cheese, organic honey, cured pancetta and ‘nduja, in which the heat from ‘nduja balances the sweetness of the honey, while the cured pancetta delivers a “subtle smokiness” to the back of the palate. Its flavour profile - which is reminiscent of honey glazed ham - makes ‘Nduja & Honey Mezzaluna an ideal candidate for festive menus, but will also ensure that this contemporary pasta product will be a year-round cracker.

www.gclfoodingredients.com

WE HAVE MADE IT OUR MISSION TO CHAMPION BRITISH PASTA. HOW TO USE:

Serve with ‘nduja butter and brioche & sage pangrattato.

JASMINE PEARLS ★★

DOROTHY’S TEAS

WHAT IS IT? Hand rolled pearls of spring green tea infused with jasmine blossom from China’s Fujian Province. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Brew hot according to instructions, or enjoy as a cold brew on a summer’s day. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2022): Peaceful Moment ★

www.dorothysteas.co.uk

HIBISCUS ★

FOODVERSITY

WHAT IS IT? Individually wrapped hibiscus tea bags. Natural, caffeine free and non-GMO. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Submerge in boiling hot water and infuse for 5 -7 minutes. Enjoy.

www.foodversity.co.uk

CHIC LADY GREY ★

HOLY COW!! HOME

WHAT IS IT? A light Ceylon black tea infused with bergamot, a twist of tangy lime, sweet orange and blue cornflowers. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Add 3g or one teaspoon of tea leaf to 200ml freshly drawn hot water at 96 - 99 °C and allow to brew for 2 - 3 minutes. Enjoy without milk or sugar. Pairs well with lemon drizzle cake.

www.holycowtea.com

LAVENDER & PEAR BOTANICAL INFUSED WATER ★★

LUXWELLS

WHAT IS IT? A botanical infused water drink, made without artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Best served chilled and neat, or as an accompaniment for a low or no alcohol mixer. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2022): Rose & Honey Botanical Infused Water ★ Hibiscus & Mint Botanical Infused Water ★★

www.liveluxwells.co.uk

AAA+ ORGANIC MATCHA ★★★

OMGTEA

WHAT IS IT? Premium Japanese organic matcha green tea. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Ideally consumed as is, as a breakfast drink or for an afternoon pick-me-up. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2022): Green Gold Organic Matcha ★★ AAA Organic Matcha ★

www.omgteas.co.uk

Be the product on food lovers’ forks in 2023.

GREAT TASTE WILL OPEN AGAIN IN JANUARY 2023

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