Peggy's meat market
had to bar a student last week because he kept making snide remarks about the provenance of my homemade hotpot. The cheek of these kids. Even so, I think it might be time to come up with a few new menu options.
3G Cumberland, Cranberry & Orange Meatballs
It's been a while since we had meatballs on the menu - for a very good reason. I never trusted that butcher, even before all that stuff in the papers. No such worries with the new 3G range of sous vide main courses, which includes Cumberland, cranberry & orange meatballs, in a sweet cranberry and red onion gravy. That should broaden a few culinary horizons around here.
3G: 0870 850 5213, www.3gfoodservice.co.uk
Big Al's Flame Cooked Range
I quite fancy a slice of Big Al's prime Irish beef. This range of microwavable products should keep the lads from the football team out of the burger bar and enjoying a pint here. It includes pre-cooked frozen beef burgers, chicken grills and BBQ pork ribsteaks. You can also get menus and POS material. I wonder if Big Al delivers it himself?
Kepak Foodservice: 01772 688300, bigalsfoodservice@kepak.com
Barton Meat Company Turkey paupiette
The Dog and Duck out on the bypass has already got its Christmas decorations out - but I'm not sure the mooning Santa and rampant reindeer will be as funny this year, now they've lost their shock value. Time to get those festive menus printed, though. This year I'm serving the Rotary Club Barton Meat Company's fresh turkey paupiettes, which come stuffed with cranberry, chestnut and sage and wrapped in smoky bacon. The time saved will give me more time to keep their wine topped up - only the first glass comes with the price of the meal. I'm entitled to a spot of Christmas cheer too.
3663: 0870 3663 100, www.3663.co.uk
TSC Foods chilli
I thought that one chilli was much like another until I came across this new range from TSC Foods, which includes eight different products including low fat and vegetarian options. For my menu, I think I'll be going for the original chilli con carne recipe, but I might also give chipotle chilli a go - it's made with "the king of Mexican chillies for added spice and heat". Sounds like a sure-fire way to boost lager sales. There's even a beer smokehouse chilli made with Bateman's Ale. Cheers!
TSC Foods: 01724 272900, www.tscfoods.co.uk
Essential Cuisine No.1 Chicken Gravy
It's not Sunday lunch without gravy, and my regulars do like to see a big bird served up. Essential Cuisine's No.1 Chicken Gravy has a rich, meaty taste and is perfect for roasts, grills and pies. A 1.5kg pot will make 20 litres of gravy. It's made with roasted chicken stock, so it's gravy like mum used to make. Well, not my mum - her gravy was far less mobile than it's supposed to be. It just squashed the roast spuds…
Essential Cuisine 0870 050 1133 www.essentialcuisine.com
