Peggy's pick of the products

Frying tonight! With Chip Week 2006 just around the corner, long-suffering pub cook Peggy takes time out from changing the lard in the deep fat fryer to sample some of the latest goodies hoping to wheedle their way on to her menu.

• Farm Frites/Prep ZT​
  Supplier: Prep ZT 01482 701271 www.prepoils.co.uk​

I'm not sure how I feel about Gordon Brown. For a whisky drinker he never seems all that cheerful, but I suppose he seems to be getting on all right with that nice young girl he married. When he suggested we should have a new Bank Holiday to celebrate our Britishness, a couple of our regulars started a petition calling for us all to get National Chip Week off work every year.

They probably won't get very far, but that won't stop us from making the most of Chip Week 2006, which runs from February 13 to February 19. Prep Foodservice Solutions and Farm Frites have joined forces to help with the festivities. Prep has launched Prep ZT Long Life Oil, which is rich in monounsaturated fats, which can help reduce blood cholesterol levels, and is also naturally high in the antioxidant Vitamin E. Farm Frites has launched Fryers Gold, a posh new chip with a moist and creamy inside and a crispy outside.

You can get foodservice rewards points with both, and my mates at The Publican have got a Prep ZT Jerribox and a case of Fryers Gold from Farm Frites to the first five readers to email chosbbq@gurchoyvpna.pbz​. Mark your email 'Chip Week giveaway'.

Chalice Oils​
Supplier: Prep Foodservice 01482 701271 www.chalicefoods.co.uk​

I can remember when oil just came in two sorts - cooking and Castrol. Now, you can't set foot in the kitchen without slipping on a patch of extra virgin. Another new line from Prep Foodservice is the new Chalice range of infused oils.

They're made with 100 per cent fresh ingredients and come in Lemon, Garlic, Basil and Chilli varieties. They can be used as an ingredient or as a dipping oil. There are also speciality nut and stir fry oils available in one-litre catering packs.

Harvest chicken​
Supplier: Harvest 01252 846 500 www.atlanticfoods.co.uk​

Did you know chickens originally came from China? I didn't, until last week, when Prof, the bloke who runs our quiz night, asked it in a question. Most teams just put "Iceland" as their answer. If you're after something to go with chips in Chip Week, Atlantic Foods has launched a range of quality, value added chicken products. There are 11 products, ranging from hot and spicy wings to southern-fried goujons. And if you've still got customers trying to give up chips for the New Year, why not try chargrilled chicken and roast pepper salad as an alternative.

Delifrance Polar Bread​
Supplier: Délifrance UK 0116 257 1871​

I thought the only thing remotely edible to ever come out of Lapland was Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, but it turns out that Polar Bread from Délifrance UK is inspired by a 19th century Lapland recipe. Customers like new flavours and textures of bread, and this sweet-tasting, round flatbread is a lighter option for sandwiches and toasties.

They love it in France, where it's called "pain polaire" or "pain suédois" - but that won't put us off. Polar Bread can be thawed at room temperature and served immediately.

Cafedirect Point of Sale kit​
Supplier: Cafédirect order hotline 01733 842005 (by Feb 20 for POS kits), www.cafedirect.co.uk​

I think I may have mentioned before that I'm not all that fond of farmers - they don't spend much and they love a moan - but I'm all for supporting fair trade. Fairtrade Fortnight 2006 runs from March 6 to 19, and Cafédirect has produced a point-of-sale kit, which includes posters, bunting, balloons and loyalty cards, for pubs to switch to Fairtrade coffee, tea and cocoa, which supports more than a quarter of a million growers and their families around the world. The free kits are being distributed by Masteroast Coffee Company, and also feature a competition to win two days of professional barista training.

Erlenbacher premium cakes ​
Schôller 01483 205500 www.schollericecream.co.uk​

What goes better with a cup of coffee than a slice of cake? Well, a large cognac's not bad, but for the many more pubs now targeting the morning coffee market, as well as looking to boost their dessert menu, Schôller Ice Cream has launched 13 new premium cakes under its Erlenbacher brand.

They include apple pie with butter crumble topping, strawberry buttermilk gateaux, cream cheesecake and cointreau truffle gateaux, and sliced patisserie-style cakes.

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​.​