THE ESSENTIAL TRIMMINGS

Evidence shows Christmas dinner has taken on a different persona in recent years, becoming one of the few occasions when people set aside their busy lives to relax and spend time together1. According to research, this ultimately means it has assumed greater importance, as has lavish spending to ensure the banquet befits the occasion2. Part and parcel of this is eating out, which is why it’s never been so crucial to bring festive dishes to life with superior stocks, jus, glaces and gravies for that ‘kitchen made’ taste and aroma...

Yule change
The fact of the matter is that, in retail, the Christmas food market has slowed since 2006, rising by just 4% to £875 million, largely because many categories have showed lack of innovation amid shifting trends in favour of smaller households and healthier lifestyles3.

However, with the emphasis on families seeing Christmas as the crucial time to eat together, this opens up an opportunity for the foodservice sector, if chefs can offer something special.

Essential Cuisine not only prides itself on producing superior products with a chefs’ approach, it aims to ensure chefs are suitably equipped for times as busy as the Christmas period.

Festive stocking
Despite last year’s Avian Flu scare, consumers still generated a UK turkey market worth £214 million, and it continues to be the top Christmas dinner choice, according to research4.

To well and truly put turkey back on the map out of home, mix meat juices with Essential Cuisine’s strong and robust Turkey Stock, expertly created for gravy with all the taste and flavour of a traditional stock, which can also be used for sauces and consommes.

Made from turkey blended with vegetables, herbs and spices, this versatile stock has a natural level of fat, looks and tastes superb, and is available in 800g tubs to make 40-50 litres. Which ultimately means two pots sets you up for gravy for 400 turkey dinners over the Christmas period.

Nigel Crane, managing director of Essential Cuisine, said: “It really is a great product. In fact it’s so good, some of our customers are even drinking it straight, so think of the difference it can make to Christmas dinners. In a stockpot, just add a spoon to enhance and extend.”

Christmas chicken
Turkey is not the only popular meat at Christmas. The UK poultry market, worth £2.9 billion, has seen an impressive 16% overall value growth5, partly due to suppliers registering the need for more convenient and healthy foods to drive added-value sales6.

With poultry dishes accounting for over 18% of main course dish highlights on UK menus7, failing to serve the perfect poultry pour over Christmas does not make good business sense.

After all, gravy is the top main course sauce when eating out. And with Sunday lunch jumping from 6th to 3rd place and roast chicken overtaking three dishes in the top 20 most frequently listed dishes8 in the past year, it’s clear to see sourcing the right birds over Christmas is just part of the equation for caterers.

Essential Cuisine’s No1 Chicken Gravy fills a gap in the competitive gravy market for a premium gravy base made with roasted chicken stock. In other words, gravy as it should be.

The gravy has a rich, meaty and homemade taste and is perfect for roasts, grills and pies. Costing around £11.50, it comes in 1.5kg pots, making 20 litres.

Nigel said: “Most of the gravy products currently available don’t contain any meat stock; however they do contain MSG, so they don’t actually taste like a real gravy. We wanted to create a premium gravy for chefs who want a good quality rich tasting meaty gravy that tastes as it should. It is also very versatile so it doesn’t compromise a chef’s creativity; they can add their own touches to it.

“It is well known that for diners, the gravy is one of the most important parts of a meal, and memorable great tasting gravy will always ensure customers return. For just a penny a portion more, you can be confident that the gravy will taste as it should.”

Claw in Christmas profit
The overall fish and seafood industry, worth around £2bn (up 9% on last year), is enjoying strong growth, largely from consumers’ focus on healthy eating. As for the future, experts predict that the market will grow a further 35% by 2011 to reach £2.76 billion9.

Fish dishes are also becoming more popular at Christmas10, and what could be more mouth-watering than a rich, fish soup at a festive banquet?

Using Essential Cuisine’s Classic Lobster Bisque as a base, chefs can easily create their own delectable soup starter for a taste of the sea as customers celebrate in style with loved ones.

Introduced to answer customer demand, the mix is made with the finest ingredients to guarantee the perfect bisque. Simply add to milk and water to make up.

Christmas Lobster Bisque recipe
Using Essential Cuisine’s Classic Lobster Bisque, make your own fantastic Christmas soup with just a few simple additions:

1. Swirl a spoonful of crème fraiche into each bowl
2. Garnish with chopped herbs
3. Add a little Cognac and thick cream
4. Garnish with a shake of paprika and a twist of lemon
5. Add chopped lobster or prawns with a handful of coriander