Peggy's Pick of the Products

• Maggi Multi-Use Tomato Sauces​
  Nestlé FoodServices​

Tomato sauce goes with just about everything, doesn't it? We've got one bloke who comes in who'd have it on our apple pie instead of custard if we let him. When it comes to cooking, the new Maggi Multi-Use Tomato Sauces are a quality alternative to home-made. A good tomato sauce is the staple ingredient of so many dishes, and the range reflects the need for versatility. They're ideal as a base for casseroles, pizzas, sauces and soups, and are made using sunflower and olive oils. And you can still dip your chips in them, if you like. Call Nestlé on 020 8686 3333.

Maestri Pastai​
iB Food​

As Esther Rantzen can confirm, interestingly shaped food is always fun. So the fact iB Food is launching a new range of unusually large shaped pastas from Maestri Pastai is great news. Maestri is a small artisan producer using durum wheat from Altamura, famous for its flour and bread. The shapes include Trofie, ideally served with basil pesto or walnut sauce, to the large conciglioni shells that can be stuffed and served. Lovely. Call iB Food's sales team on 0800 2525222.

Bisto Favourite Reduced Salt Gravy Granules​
RHM Foodservice​

With Christmas just around the corner and our Sunday lunch trade booming, we're into the peak gravy season. RHM Foodservice has just launched a reduced salt version of its classic Bisto granules. As well as being ideal for customers looking to cut back on salt, the new formulation also has a smoother texture, while retaining the thick, rich flavour associated with Bisto. Some chefs even add it to dishes such as lasagne and spaghetti bolognese for extra rich thickness and flavour. More roast spuds, anyone? Call the RHM Caterer AdviceLine on 0800 328 4246.

Heinz Mini Jar range​

It's not all about size, is it? Although we used to have a barman here who... never mind, there's no point dwelling on the past. Anyway, Heinz has launched a new mini jar range in three variants - tomato ketchup, mayonnaise and coarse grain mustard. It means you can offer customers good quality condiments at all times. I can see these being very popular when we start doing breakfasts - which I reckon is a much better idea than opening until all hours at night. Licensing reform, my Aunt Fanny. Contact the Heinz Helpline on 0800 575755.

Crosse & Blackwell sauces​
Premier Foods​

Do you ever have days when you just can't choose? Which earrings, which shade of lippy, quilted or plain in the loos? I sometimes get really stuck for new menu dishes, too, which is why I like this new idea from Premier Foods. There are two bits to it, the new Crosse & Blackwell ready-to-use canned base sauces, and a menu planning CD-Rom. The sauces are versatile enough to be used across loads of menu ideas, and the CD-Rom covers the breadth of the Premier Foods range. You can order the CD-ROM by calling 0800 731 6341. Tell 'em Peggy sent you.

Pebble Peanuts​

Our barmaid Val said she was late on Tuesday because she'd been to the salon for a Brazilian. Her hairdo didn't look any different to me, but she seemed happy enough with it. I expect she'll like these dry-roasted peanuts from Brazil, coated with a thin wheat layer and a drop of soy sauce. Apparently they were created by Japanese immigrants to Brazil, and are now part of local beach life in Rio and the bustling bar scene in São Paulo. So they'll fit right in around here. Actually our regulars are always up for a new snack, so I'm getting a few boxes in. Contact Pebble Peanuts on 0800 7315 408.

Monin flavoured syrups​
Bennett Opie​

Flavoured coffee is all the rage, I'm told, although white with four sugars is usually sophisticated enough for me. But we'll be going all continental with Touch, a range of syrups for coffee in one-serving sachets from Monin, the French manufacturer of premium, flavoured syrups. They come in cases of 18 sachets in vanilla, hazelnut and caramel. They'll be available in the New Year from Bennett Opie, UK distributors of Monin syrups, so now's the time to start planning your coffee menu. Call Bennett Opie's sales team on 01795 476154.

Mantinga bread​

Remember when bread just came sliced? I won't use our local baker, not since that nasty business with the doughnuts, so it's good news that Mantinga certainly has loads of innovative bread ideas for pubs.

Its speciality breads include feta cheese and black olive, caramelised onion, and sundried tomato bread, as well as this new range of Bread Bowls, as a way to serve soup and stews. The two varieties, dark rye and light rye bread with caraway seeds, are baked with an extra thick crust so that soup can be served directly into the carved out shell. The sliced-off lid can be dipped into any chunky soup whilst the inner bread can be toasted to form crispy croutons. And it saves on the washing up. Contact the sales department on 0845 450 44 84.

If you've got a product you'd like Peggy to put through its paces, please email details, including a picture, to chosbbq@gurchoyvpna.pbz​​