Smith & Jones addresses demand for bigger portions and low-calorie dishes

The autumn-winter Smith & Jones menu was introduced in 196 pubs on Tuesday (25 September) and features 25 new dishes inspired by current food trends, as well as customer feedback. The new Big Eat section features bigger dishes, such as a one and a half pound Monster pie made with British beef & potatoes, served with mash, garden peas and gravy.

Head of sales and marketing Kate Eastwood said there is customer demand for bigger portions, as well as lighter dishes. A below-500 calorie section was introduced last year and has been increased to below 600 on the new menus.

Other new dishes include a pulled BBQ beef burger that follows the trend for slow-cooked pulled meats showcased by London’s pop-up eateries. The bar snacks section introduced last year has been extended by demand from eight to 11 items. It now includes a Dunkley’s mini shepherd’s pie with mushy peas and HP sauce; a trio of mini burgers; and sticky chicken skewers grilled with a ginger-beer glaze.

Lighter dishes include a spicy chicken burrito and a vegetarian burrito, inspired by the street-food trend.

“There are some exciting food trends and innovations coming out of start-up restaurants and food stalls, and it is a great opportunity for pubs to embrace them and offer our customers similar flavours,” said Eastwood.

“The new Smith & Jones menu is a great mix of current trends combined with pub favourites and dishes that are perfect for sharing with groups or snacking while enjoying a drink. Customers visit our pubs across a range of occasions, so it’s vital to have dishes that cater for those differing needs.”