With football fans gearing up for the start of the new season, caterers will be keen to make the most of the expected bonanza by offering a wide range of menu options suitable for the hungry fans.
The great British barbecue has become as much a part of the summer scene as strawberries and cream or rain during the Wimbledon fortnight. Whether the sun is splitting the trees or peeping reluctantly from behind the clouds, the sizzling sounds of al fresco cooking are sure to be in the air.
Although the vagaries of our climate mean that barbecues tend to be spontaneous rather than planned events, the ready availability of awning and patio heaters means that pubs and restaurants are often well placed to make the most of this increasingly popular style of eating.
Barbecue foods were worth around £371m in retail sales in 2008 in the UK, following annual average growth of over 10% for the previous five years(1). Consumer interest in outdoor living and al fresco dining is also stimulating the consumption of a wider range of barbecue foods.
Burgers, sausages and chicken remain the favourite components of the British barbecue according to market research experts Mintell(2), but prepared kebabs, fish and seafood grew substantially over the past four years. Perhaps most surprisingly, barbecued vegetables and fruit showed the largest growth in 2008, albeit from a small base. Vegetarian options too are on the increase.
All will benefit from AAK Foodservice’s Lion range, whose condiments, sauces and dressings – the Three Lions! – which add both value to a meal and offer a point of difference. This winning team provides the perfect accompaniment to any World Cup barbecue and echoes the pride and passion felt by fans across the country.
Just like the premier league, Lion draws its inspiration from across the globe. It seeks out the highest quality ingredients to create tastes that make its products stand out from the competition. Whether you’re looking to add that extra flavour or texture to your meal ideas, Lion is sure to serve up the authentic solution you’ve been searching for to create that perfect dish.
The Lion International Kitchen offers operators the most comprehensive range of sauces and salsas on the market with some really innovative flavours which cater for the British taste for more exotic foods.
Diners can literally eat their way round the world. Kick off the tour in the USA, with either American Smoky BBQ, Sticky BBQ or Hickory BBQ Sauce, cross over to Africa to sample Piri-Piri Hot Sauce, before hot footing it over to Thailand to savour the taste of Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce. Then there is Lion Very Hot Chilli Sauce, the perfect partner for burgers, chicken goujons and duck wraps crying out for a fiery, South American kick. Lion also offers a selection of table sauces and mustards; these include a wide selection of mustards and sauces, as well as a Premium range which includes the likes of Wholegrain Mustard with Real Ale. The sauces are extremely versatile as they can be served straight from the bottle as an accompaniment as well as being used as a recipe ingredient to produce the more exotic dishes the public is crying out for these days.
The latest additions to the Lion range of salad dressings include two healthy new offerings. Balsamic & Herb Dressing with its rich vinegary flavour is a free-flowing vinaigrette with the health conscious in mind, while Lion House Dressing contains White Wine Vinegar and French Dijon Mustard has a wonderfully enriched flavour.
“The two new low-fat additions to the Lion range both offer less than three per cent fat without comprising on taste, less than one percent saturated and a level of sodium that complies with FSA 2010 targets,” said AAK Foodservice marketing manager Rachel Neale. “Side orders of salads and jacket potatoes will benefit from the addition of other Lion dressings with a difference such as Sour Cream & Chives, Garlic & Herb Dressing, Honey & Mustard and Ranch Dressing, make them into a gourmet experience in themselves.”
Salad dressings are also available in traditional formats such as Real or Thick & Creamy Mayonnaise, Salad Cream, Blue Cheese and Thousand Island and Prawn Cocktail.
(A)merican Smoky BBQ Sauce – add a smoky flavour to pizzas and bbqs
(B)lue Cheese Dressing – a wonderfully strong complement to quarter pounders
(C)aesar Dressing – great with pizzas and salads
(D)ijon Mustard - this flavourful French sauce typical from Dijon has indeed become a leitmotiv in Gastronomy, as a tasty accompaniment for chicken, salmon, grilled steaks, roast beef and sausages, as well as a classic dressing for salads, burgers and hot dogs.
(E)nglish Mustard – great for beef dishes.
(F)rench Mustard – a milder tasting mustard great to serve with meats
(G)arlic Mayo - a flavour that is growing in popularity as the Mediterranean diet continues to favour among consumers
(H)ickory BBQ Sauce – ideal for marinating meats for a traditional BBQ flavour
(I)nternational Kitchen – Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce, Cool Salsa, Sticky BBQ Sauce and Very Hot Chilli Sauce – turn any dish into a King!
(J)am (Red Peppa) – a thick chutney product ideal for sandwich fillings
(K)etchup – a traditional favourite for chips!
(L)ight Mayo – ideal for the health conscious
(M)ango Chutney – ideal to compliment Indian dishes
(N)ewest Additions – Lion Reduced Fat Balsamic & Herb Dressing and Lion Reduced Fat House Dressing
(O)riental (Thai) Sweet Chilli Sauce - a sweet, sticky and spicy sauce for a zesty zap of intense flavour, ideal for outlets offering Oriental dishes
(P)iri Piri Hot Sauce - its fiery blend of chilli, garlic, oregano and paprika make it ideal for basting Chicken Wings
(Q)uality range – offering the perfect complement to any menu item
(R)anch Dressing – classic from America, perfect for chicken dishes and Tex Mex
(S)alsa – from one end of the spectrum to another with a cool and hot variety, ideal for tortilla wraps
(T)artare – traditional accompaniment to UK’s favourite take-away, fish and chips
(U)nique range – wide range offering a point of difference to keep your customers coming back for more
(V)ersatile - ideal for marinating, dipping or as a table sauce
(W)holegrain/Coarsegrain Mustard - a popular accompaniment to hot dogs and pretzels. It can also be used as an ingredient in mayonnaise, vinaigrette, marinades and barbecue sauce as well as for a base for salad dressing when combined with vinegar and/or olive oil.
(X)TRA Very Hot Chilli Sauce - the perfect partner for doner and chicken kebabs crying out for an intense, fiery kick
Yoghurt and Mint - As the yin to Very Hot Chilli’s yang, why not try a Yoghurt and Mint Dressing – after all a traditional kebab is often served with Tzaziki?
Zesty Hot Sauce – a hot and spicy addition for ribs!
For more information please contact AAK Foodservice on 01482 332100.
(1) Barbecue Foods, Market Intelligence, November 2008
(2) Barbecue Foods, Market Intelligence, November 2008
AarhusKarlshamn UK Ltd
King George Dock, Hull, HU9 5PX, England
T: +44 (0)1482 701 271 | E: uk.info@aak.com
Registered in England with Company Number 1585686 and VAT Number GB 475 4800 31.