Summer menu focus: Summer specials

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Plusfood chicken range for barbecues As consumer tastes become more adventurous, the pub barbecue has to keep up. Chicken product specialist Plusfood...

Plusfood chicken range for barbecues

As consumer tastes become more adventurous, the pub barbecue has to keep up. Chicken product specialist Plusfood is seeing a change in pubs' buying habits, with products such as kebabs and skewers in demand.

These often come fully cooked, which makes them very simple to prepare and particularly suitable for the barbecue market as it eliminates any possibility of food poisoning. There is a move towards more upmarket, 'butcher style' premium-quality products, driven by the current consumer trend for healthy eating.

Typical of this is Dipped 'n' Dusted Chicken from Plusfood. It is a range of hand-cut chicken breast strips available in three flavours: spicy lemongrass, lime & chilli and sweet chilli.

Plusfood (UK): 01892 667155

Westlers

There will always be occasions when customers just want a quick snack. Ideal for barbecues, hot dogs are a great outdoor snack and are quick and easy to serve. As well as the traditional top-sliced soft bun with onions, ketchup and mustard, a range of toppings such as chilli con carne or melted cheese and jalapeños can be offered.

For a Greek style panini, lightly grill the panini with a Westlers hot dog sausage, feta cheese and roasted red peppers. Garnish with salad, black olives and lemon slices.

Westlers: www.westlerfoods.com

Schöller Desserts

Pubs focus far more on starters and main courses than on desserts - an oversight, says Mike Godwin, managing director of Schöller Desserts. "The profit opportunity is considerably greater in desserts," he claims. "And, as consumers, we know only too well that if a menu is placed in our hands and we're invited to enjoy a dessert - something light like an ice-cream 'taster' menu - this can prove a highly popular and tempting option."

Schöller Desserts has the popular brand Mövenpick in its brand portfolio, and Godwin urges licensees to consider their dessert proposition carefully for the summer menus.

"Ice-cream is absolutely no longer just for kids," he says. "Today's discerning consumer enjoys ice-cream or sorbets, and what could be easier than presenting a plate of 'taster' ice-creams across experiences such as rhubarb or pistachio or even our mandarin and cranberry, which has the most exquisite taste."

Schöller Ice Cream: 01483 205500

Bel

Cheese can play an important part in creating a varied summer menu. Bel UK Foodservice, which supplies a range of French brands including Port Salut, Leerdammer and The Laughing Cow.

Synthia Kanda, brand manager, says: "Summer is a key trading period and a time where pubs and bars can really cash in on the increase in visitors. Warm weather encourages people to socialise more often, so licensees should ensure their menus provide a varied and tasty selection of dishes.

"The eating habits of consumers also change in the summer because of the higher temperatures which mean they tend to go for lighter dishes.

"Cheeses can be used to give traditional recipe ideas a new twist that is more suitable for summer occasions." Port Salut, available in original and smoked variants, makes a great addition to a BLT, while Leerdammer goes well in a Salad Nicoise. For recipes, see www.thepublican.com/food.

Bel UK: www.bel-uk.co.uk

Schwartz for Chef

The Schwartz for Chef range of salad dressings, as well as sister brand Bick's relishes, work with a variety of summer dishes, salads and barbecues. With Schwartz for Chef, pubs can create a variety of zesty salads, from Mediterranean couscous salad to a creamy pesto pasta salad.

Pasta salads are quick and easy to prepare, and are great with barbecues.

The Schwartz for Chef range of salad dressings include caesar, garlic & herb - which doubles up as a dip - as well as thousand island, balsamic, and French dressing.

The new Bick's hot dog relish and classic hamburger relish, available in one-litre squeezable bottles, uses natural ingredients. As well as transforming a classic burger or hotdog, the condiments can add an authentic American taste to dishes such as vegetable kebabs or chicken.

Schwartz for Chef: 08081 000363

www.schwartzforchef.com.

Cherry Valley

Summer is the time for salads, and using duck as the main ingredient is a great way to keep customers interested.

Cherry Valley has a range of easy-to-prepare frozen and chilled duck products.

Eric Jagger, sales and marketing director for Cherry Valley, says: "We all know last summer was a disappointment for sun-seekers, but with better temperatures forecast for this year, fresh and inventive summer menus can be a real winner for pubs.

"With duck, licensees can offer new and innovative flavours to tempt consumers into a tasty salad."

Cherry Valley: 01472 371271 www.cherryvalley.co.uk

3G premium hot puddings

Summer may seem a strange time to be thinking about hot puds, but with more weekend breaks, family trips and days out across the holiday season, many customers are in the mood to be more indulgent than usual.

3G Food Service has extended its range of desserts with a selection of premium, square-shaped hot puddings. The range includes Belgian chocolate, raspberry jam, stem ginger and treacle square sponge pudding.

"Consumers look for a touch of excitement and extravagance when it comes to the dessert menu," says Ben Smales, managing director of 3G Food Service & Seafood Solutions.

"We've noticed that the demand for premium products is increasing as consumers become more food conscious, especially in the dessert sector." The puddings use natural ingredients such as real chocolate, fruit and ginger. n3G Food Service: 0870 850 5213

www.3gfoodservice.co.uk

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