Sector support
A revolution in
healthcare catering
As the healthcare sector is so close to our hearts, we make it our priority to inspire your future menus, ensuring they are full of flavour and nutrients using our versatile, cost and time efficient products.
We’re so proud of our gluten free range, many of our stocks, gravies and sauce bases are suited for vegans, vegetarians and meet 2024 salt targets set by Public Health England.
100% gluten free range with many products containing NDA^
No MSG or palm oil added
Made in the UK in our BRC AA factory
100% recyclable packaging
Part of the Food For Life – Soil Association
^Does not contain declarable allergens under the EU regulation 1169/2011 (Annex 11)
Product demonstrations at your fingertips
Recipe inspiration and menu planning
Allergen information and support
Specialist products for dysphasia
9-18 month shelf life
How we can help
you achieve your
bronze Food For Life
- Many of our products comply with 2024 salt targets set by Public Health England
- None of our products contain genetically modified (GM) ingredients
- Our stocks are free from additives and trans fats and also count towards your freshly prepared percentage
- Our Crème Anglaise can be made with fresh milk, also counting towards your freshly made percentage
- Our factory has been BRC AA rated for six consecutive years
- Our team of chefs can recommend seasonal usages for our product range, helping you develop your menu throughout the year
For more information download our free, interactive sector guide:
Products recommended for you...
FIND OUT MORE >Nutrisis Thickener
Nutrisis Thickener is designed to adapt the texture of meals for nutritional requirements in the event of swallowing (dysphasia), chewing disorders and/or risks of aspiration. It helps to make smooth, even and lump free blended textures.
FIND OUT MORE >Premium Instant Gravy
Introducing our new Premium Instant Gravy! Created using the finest ingredients, this gravy mix creates a rich, premium gravy whilst saving you valuable time. Perfect for the busy chef. Simple to use, just add boilng water - ready in 30 seconds.
REQUEST YOURS TODAY >Innovation Box
Menu planning? Let us inspire you with our innovation box designed for caterers in the healthcare industry, packed with easy-to-use product samples and cost effective recipe cards
Making Mealtimes Memorable Recipe Book
Our “Making Mealtimes Memorable” recipe book combines inspirational menu ideas for all meal occasions; advice from industry professionals, example menu cycles, plus information on the IDDSI framework.
“Essential Cuisine products provide better cost control alongside the obvious health benefits. These products have a much lower salt content than the previous brand we were using. The consistency of their stock is brilliant, because it’s a powder you know you’re getting better cost control.”
Gareth Waters, Head of Restaurant & Catering St Andrew’s Healthcare
Latest sector news...
22nd February 2021After the launch of Essential Cuisine’s innovation boxes in 2020, the foodservice brand have helped to support and inspire hundreds of chefs across a multitude of business sectors during a particularly challenging time.READ MORE >Keeping your sauce making simple
11th February 2021With so much to think about in a busy kitchen, chefs can often find themselves crying out for some basic essentials to ease the pressure, without compromising on quality. We’re here to help save you numerous hours of having to make sauces from scratch, meaning your team can put their focus...READ MORE >Creating the perfect social setting in your care home 
9th February 2021It has been found that social environments help to sustain both the physical and mental wellbeing of older people living in care homes. With friends and families prohibited from visiting care settings over the course of the pandemic, we’ve witnessed various care homes making more of an effort to get...READ MORE >Essential Cuisine donates to "souper hero" programme to feed NHS workers
2nd February 2021Essential Cuisine have donated over one thousand litres of stock to Cafe Manager, Steve Illidge, who has been delivering soups to medical staff at Warrington Halton NHS trust throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. After Steve’s cafe (Hope Cafe in Runcorn) had to close its doors during the pandemic...READ MORE >Recipe Inspiration for Hospital and Care Catering 
12th January 2021Care catering is an area of foodservice like no other. It’s a rewarding yet challenging field and juggling the complex medical and dietary demands of your residents or patients, whilst at the same time providing varied, appealing and nutritious menus can be overwhelming, now more than ever. Our team of development chefs are here to provide inspiration for your menu cycle, focusing on a variety of vital aspects that come with catering in a healthcare environment.READ MORE >Essential Cuisine Achieve Sixth Consecutive BRC ‘AA’ Rating
4th November 2020Essential Cuisine are very proud to announce that they have gained a coveted AA-grade accreditation from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) for the sixth consecutive year.READ MORE >Essential Cuisine launch a range of vegan stock mixes
3rd November 2020With vegan and plant based recipes now increasingly appearing on menus, Essential Cuisine are launching a range of vegan stock mixes, made with the finest ingredients to enhance the flavour of vegan dishes.READ MORE >Meals on Wheels Week
2nd November 2020Essential Cuisine support Harrogate Food Angels during National Meals on Wheels Week Essential Cuisine are delighted to support Harrogate Food Angels and the care industry, by volunteering and donating British ingredients during National Meals on Wheels Week (2nd - 6th November 2020). This campaign is being lead by the NACC to celebrate the magnificent work of the frontline meals on wheels services across the country.READ MORE >It's Soup Season - Our top 10 soup recipes!
3rd October 2020We’ve always thought that there’s something special about soup. It can be made into an upmarket entrée or into a healthy, nutritious lunch option - the choices are endless. We’ve compiled some of our favourite recipes just for you! You’ll find simple, cost-effective classics, more challenging oriental options and soups that are gluten free or contain no declarable allergens* allowing you to cater for a wide customer base with diverse dietary needs.READ MORE >Making mealtimes more manageable - Nutrisis Thickener
18th September 2020Nutrisis Thickener is designed to adapt the texture of meals for nutritional requirements in the event of swallowing (dysphagia), chewing disorders and / or risks of aspiration.These conditions mean that patients experience difficulties in initiating swallowing and pushing food down the oesophagus. This causes discomfort when food is going down, which sometimes goes into the respiratory tract (aspiration) triggering an expulsion cough.READ MORE >Chef’s moving forward featuring Sue Cawthray, Chair of NACC
14th September 2020We were pleased to chat to CEO, Sue Cawthray, Chair of NACC from Harrogate Neighbours about some of the impacts Coronavirus has had on her kitchen operation, adjustments that have been made and what the future looks like in the care sector.READ MORE >
