Peggy's Pick of the Products

Can you believe this weather? I thought I was getting hot flushes in July, but I think It was too long standing over the deep fat fryer - we had a coach party in who'd preordered scampi and chips for 35. The bar was empty, but the garden was full, which means we're rushed off our feet taking the food out. Then for the past fortnight, it hasn't stopped raining - it makes it very hard to plan ahead.

Heinz Champion of Breakfast​

Breakfast used to be just a cup of coffee and an aspirin round here, but our early morning fry-ups are starting to sell really well. To celebrate the role of baked beans in the Great British Breakfast, until October 30 cans of Heinz Beanz will have a peel-off label offering the chance to win a £5,000 kitchen makeover and 100 hotel spa breaks. There 's also a consumer promotion that offers everyone who buys Beanz with a pub breakfast a scratchcard giving them a chance to win a seven-day family holiday in Majorca.

Heinz Foodservice: For a free PoS kit featuring scratchcards, key-rings, a poster, window sticker and counter card, call 0800 575755.

Young's black tiger prawns​

We've tried to make our barbecues a bit more interesting this summer. We're using Young's new head-on, shell-on black tiger prawns. They're already split back, which means even the messiest eater can peel them a little bit easier. Splash on some garlic dressing and it adds a touch of luxury to the barbie.

Youngs: 0800 132 096, www.youngs caterer.co.uk

Pritchitts Café Maid​

If you want to try and attract a more upmarket clientele - and heaven knows we need to - morning coffee and afternoon tea is a great way. We have some very posh ladies who pop in for a latte and a cream horn on their way to the shops. I'm told that poor-quality whitener can ruin the taste of good coffee. We use Café Maid, a luxury single-pot coffee creamer from Pritchitts. It blends perfectly and never separates even in the hottest coffee, and has the added benefit of being lower in fat and calories than cream. Pritchitts also offers Millac Maid and Half Fat Millac Maid, which you can use in both coffee and tea and taste as good as fresh milk.

Pritchitts Customer Care: 0845 1300 307, www.pritchitts.com

Atlantic Foods Jumbo Chicken Skewers​

Some of the rabble we get in here make me wonder why we bother, though. They can turn quite nasty if they're kept waiting, but you have to keep smiling. And Atlantic Foods new Jumbo Chicken Skewers have been a godsend this summer. The XXL skewers are the latest addition to the Harvest Range, made from 100 per cent chicken breast meat, and because they're pre-cooked they can be grilled or barbecued quickly. Perfect portion control and versatility.

Atlantic Foods: 01252 846 500 www.atlanticfoods.co.uk

3663 fresh fish​

Fresh fish on the grill has also been a bit of a winner for our menu this summer. 3663 First for Foodservice has launched a new range of whole and expertly prepared fresh fish. Its new brochure - Just Fresh Fish - features a comprehensive range of delicious lines of both flat and round fish, salmon and trout and exotics. There are few odd-looking things in there you wouldn't want to meet while you were out for a swim, mind you, but it's all lovely with a slice of lemon and a salad.

3663 advice centre: 0870 3663 000, www.3663.co.uk

Tilda Frozen Rice​

My regulars love something a bit spicy, but working out how much rice to cook up with a korma is a bit of a tough one. Put on a whole pan and they'll all come in and order the mixed grill just to be awkward. So I like the idea of Tilda's new frozen rice range. The pouches can be cooked to order on the hob or in the microwave, providing perfect portion and cost control. There are plenty of varieties, including Golden Savoury Long Grain - lovely in stir fries - basmati, and even southern Indian lemon, Thai coconut, Persian, and Moroccan. I can feel some very exotic specials coming on.

Tilda: 01708 717 777, www.tildafoodservice.com

Chalice Infused Oils/Lamb's Lettuce​

Frankly, it takes quite a bit to get me excited about salad, so I was taken aback when I tried Lamb's lettuce, grown in the heart of the Loire Valley. It's lovely. This summer, it's been teamed up with Chalice Infused Oils, and there's a great recipe booklet available with 10 recipes from members of the Craft Guild of Chefs. Wait until you try the Vietnamese pork ball on Lamb's lettuce salad with hot and sour dipping sauce. I had to have a lie-down afterwards.

Lamb's lettuce: Sopexa Fine Foods team 020 7312 3636

Chalice: Prep Foodservice Solutions 01482 332100