Subway introduces new plantbased menu item for Veganuary Subway has unveiled a new addition to its plantbased menu for Veganuary – the T.L.C. Tikka (Tastes. Like.Chicken). A new spice-inspired twist on the original roastchicken inspired T.L.C., the T.L.C. Tikka is a special addition to the menu exclusively for Veganuary, available from Wednesday 29 December to Tuesday 15 February in select stores across Ireland and the UK, replacing the classic T.L.C. for a limited time. Made from soybased protein and a unique recipe, with slices of Violife vegan cheese, the T.L.C. Tikka is fully customisable and is available as a 6-inch or Footlong Sub, a salad or a wrap for The T.L.C. Tikka is approved even more choice. by the Vegan Society
O’Brien’s launches new ‘Power of Choice’ menu in collaboration with Natalya Coyle Following the recent appointment of sports star Natalya Coyle as its official Brand Ambassador, O’Brien’s Sandwiches and Natalya have spent the past few months collaborating on the healthy new ‘Power of Choice’ menu which will be in outlets from 10 January 2022. New items on the menu include Poached Eggs on Avocado Sourdough Toast, Spiced Chicken and Chickpea Soup, and the delicious Rainbow Chicken Bowl. Not only are these new Natalya Coyle is O’Brien’s dishes lean, but they official Brand Ambassador are also hearty and created to be nutrient dense, filling and above all, tasty and convenient. O’Brien’s is marking its 33rd year in business this year.
McDonald’s Ireland rolls out McPlant nationally
McDonald’s is rolling out its plant-based offering, the McPlant, to all restaurants across Ireland from Wednesday 5 January 2022, following a successful trial last year. The impressive McPlant, which took over three years to develop, features a patty co-developed with Beyond Meat. Michelle Graham-Clare, chief marketing officer, McDonald’s UK and Ireland, said the group saw “a remarkable response to the trial period back in October”. The McPlant features a vegan sesame bun, mustard, ketchup, vegan sauce, fresh onion, pickles, lettuce, tomato and vegan cheese. It is cooked separately from other McDonald’s burgers and sandwiches using dedicated utensils. Following a successful trial, McDonald’s Ireland is rolling out its first ever plant-based burger to all its restaurants
FOOD FOCUS 33
Freshly Chopped expands to six new countries The master franchise Healthy fast food retailer deal will see Fresh Food Freshly Chopped recently Fast Company own the signed a new partnership Freshly Chopped master deal with the Dutch franchise until 2032. The company FFF International first location will open in Holding B.V. (Fresh Food February in Leiden with a Fast Company) that will further seven outlets see the Freshly Chopped planned to open in the brand open 120 new Netherlands in 2022. Both outlets in the Netherlands, company and franchise Belgium, France, Germany, restaurants will then open Denmark and Sweden over across Belgium, France, the next five years. Germany, Denmark and Launched in Dublin in Sweden over the next five 2012, Freshly Chopped years. already has over 60 stores Hans Wingender, across Ireland, the UK and managing director of Cyprus and employs over Fresh Food Fast 1,000 people. Company, is confident Brian Lee, founder and Brian Lee, founder and CEO about the brand’s growth CEO of Chopped, says the of Freshly Chopped with Hans prospects, noting that new partnership represents Wingender, managing director leading food brands must of Fresh Food Fast Company in “an incredible be able to respond to the Leiden, Netherlands announcement for Freshly consumer demand for Chopped. healthier options at the “Signing this deal to bring the brand to six right price and fast. new countries is a great moment for us and “In 2020, when I first encountered Freshly another important milestone on our global Chopped, I knew this was the brand that we rollout,” Lee said. could grow across Europe,” Wingender said.
GAA star Philly McMahon teams up with Tesco to provide families with free food packages Dublin GAA legend, Philly McMahon has supplemental support at home this winter. teamed up with Tesco to announce a new Tesco began partnering with the Good pilot programme that will provide thousands Grub Initiative as a pilot programme in of meals to feed children and families across November 2021 and the pilot campaign Ireland. which will run until February will see Tesco Stronger Starts, in partnership with the provide the equivalent of over 120,000 Good Grub Initiative, will provide 1,000 thousand meals to families most in need in families per week with free nutritious food communities around Ireland. packages containing potatoes, carrots, As part of the campaign, Tesco will also onions, and apples, to support them in partner with a number of Local Heroes from preparing healthy meals at home. around Ireland who will create compelling Good Grub is a video content to not-for-profit demonstrate how initiative that has, healthy and since the start of the nutritious food is Covid pandemic, the best ingredient delivered nutritious in any recipe. fruit and veg parcels Once the pilot is directly to the complete in families of a number February, Tesco of DEIS school and the Good Grub children around Initiative will review Ireland. During the and refine the pilot, home school programme with David Kelly, co-founder of The Good Grub community liaison the aim of Initiative; Kari Daniels, CEO, Tesco Ireland; officers in over 40 reaching more co-founder of The Good Grub Initiative, Denis DEIS schools will children and O’Reilly; with former Dublin GAA footballer, identify families who Philly McMahon at the launch of the Stronger families across may need Ireland. ■ Starts programme
www.shelflife.ie | ShelfLife January 2022
