Category Archives: News
12 Jun |
Somerset’s Food Producers |
Somerset is synonymous with Cheddar cheese, but there are so many more delicacies that the county offers.
The Bath Bun, sprinkled with sugar and coloured with saffron is as famous as the doughy Sally Lunn Cake, piping hot with lashes of cream. The Bath Oliver cracker biscuit goes nicely with Bath Chaps. These are pigs cheeks or lower jaws salted and smoked then boiled and coated in breadcrumbs.
But it is the Cheddar brand that has been a favourite for centuries. When poor imitations started to crop up by the 18th century, stringent rules were put down to protect it.
Cheddar is the most popular type of cheese in the UK. Its accounts for 51% of the country’s £1.9 billion annual cheese market. It is also the second-most popular cheese in the US (behind mozzarella).
Not Just Cheddar
The first cheese made at Willet Farm near Taunton was a sheep’s milk cheese. This was shortly followed by the product after which the company is named and which is the flagship of the business; Exmoor Blue. Made from Jersey cows’ milk, it was the forerunner of the range of cheeses now produced on the site of the farm.
All cheeses, including Somerset Blue, Partridge’s Blue and Buffalo, are handmade to traditional recipes and methods using only the milk from local herds. To the milk is added vegetarian rennet, starter cultures, penicillin roqueforti (which gives the characteristic blue tang as the cheese is matured) and salt. Exmoor Blue has been awarded Protected Geographical Indication status. This ensures that the cheese is made to specified standards using local milk from within the designated area.
Honey and Vegetables
Honey, the natural sweet nectar is also produced in quantity in Somerset. Sedgemoor Honey is situated on the outskirts of Taunton. It produces the finest Somerset honey available through local shops, farm shops and National Trust outlets.
From two hives on the back garden in the 1970s, owner Chris Harries now runs 300 colonies of bees. Divided between 20 apiaries, they forage for nectar in the fields and hedgerows of Somerset. During the summer months many of the hives are relocated to changing nectar flows. This includes the purple heather of Exmoor, with its distinctive aroma and flavour. As well as providing a much desired pollination service for local farmers and growers, the company also rears queen bees and nucleus colonies for sale to other beekeepers.
Stoneage Organics specialises in organically grown produce. In addition to a farm in Oake, the family run business also has a farm near Bishop’s Lydeard. This has been fully organic since 1st January 2001, where the majority of the growing is now done.
Stoneage has been growing organic vegetables since 1988 and introduced the Vegetable Box Scheme in 1993. Each week, a selection of fresh, seasonal produce is packed into three sizes of box. Potatoes and carrots appear virtually every week, and onions most weeks. The remainder of the box is made up of various items depending on the time of year from aubergines, Brussels sprouts, beetroot, broad and runner beans, cauliflower, celery, chard, Chinese leaves, courgettes, fennel, pak choi, parsley, parsnips, peppers, radish, spinach, squash and more!
There are many more local food producers in Somerset that need a shout out. So no doubt the AC Services series will feature some more soon.
Published Date: 12th June 2018
Category: Blog, Local food, News
Tags: AC Services, Food producers
29 May |
Food News Round-up |
In the week following the wedding of the year, food has yet again been making the headlines. Eggs in particular seem to be popular with experts, via the food news media, urging people to eat at least one egg a day to stave off disease.
A study of nearly half a million people in China suggests a daily egg may reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes. Eggs contain high levels of protein, Vitamins A, D, B and B12, as well as lutein and zeaxanthin that can help prevent eye damage in old age. So egg consumption is the key according to some experts.
“At the very least up to one egg a day is not linked with raised cardiovascular risk, and at best up to one egg a day may even have health benefits,” says Prof Nita Forouhi, of the University of Cambridge.
This is good news for the egg industry following decades of concern including cholesterol fears and salmonella. Not to mention Edwina Curry. Indeed, the British Heart Foundation has now dropped its advice to limit egg consumption to three a week.
Best Use Before
Also in the news, Tesco is removing “best before” labels from about 70 of its fresh produce lines to reduce waste. These include apples, potatoes, tomatoes, lemons, other citrus fruit and onions. Best before labels mean that the food can be sold, redistributed and safely consumed after this date.
Instead, “use by” dates will be shown. This label means that food cannot be sold, redistributed or consumed after this date. The hope is that this will make easier for consumers to know when to discard food.
SW Festivals Start
There is much happening in the south west, where festival season is kicking off. Vegfest took place over the Bank Holiday weekend with great food and great music. Bristol played host to Europe’s biggest vegetarian and vegan event with hundreds of stalls selling their wares. As well as ethical and vegan friendly food, the event also involved comedy shows, cooking demos, a cinema, informative talks on health and nutrition and kid’s workshops (featuring Captain James Tea Cook).
And the Clovelly Seaweed Festival made its second annual appearance to introduce us to the wonderful world of seaweed. Chef demonstrations and a surprising variety of dishes are mixed with live music. It includes an exhibition by the Marine Biological Association titled ‘Amazing World of Algae’.
There’s still time to arrange a visit to the Ottery St Mary Food and Families Festival, taking place on 2 June. Usually associated with burning barrels, the town is hosting the event which is now in its fourth year. “A passion for local produce and community links the founders of the festival.”
The following weekend, 9 and 10 June sees the Cheese & Chilli Festival being held in Christchurch, Dorset. Visitors can look forward to buying local cheeses and chillies of all strengths and listening to informative talks about these two foods. And then enjoying live music and joining in activities such as free circus skills workshops, magic shows and balloon-building sessions.
And in AC Services Southern news, Denise our new Service Administrator has settled in well having started on 9 April. Carolyn is also enjoying her move from Service to Accounts Administration.
Published Date: 29th May 2018
Category: Blog, News
Tags: monthly news
22 May |
What Does Our MD Get Up To On The Weekend? |
If you spent all week working with catering businesses that range from catering vans through to the finest dining in the land, what would you do for a weekend break?
That’s right you go to the biggest event in the country, where both types of catering businesses delivered royally.
MD Helen Hagger, as usual, was well prepared with a plan leaving nothing to chance. She travelled to a hotel in Slough West on Friday night with Allison, her friend of 35 years.
The alarm was set for 4.20 a.m in good time for the booked taxi to arrive at 5 am. Then a half hour trip to a misty Windsor; already rich with a promise of a beautiful day for the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Celebrities Around the World
Helen walked to Long Walk, where many hardy royalists had slept overnight for their prime position among the 100,000, who viewed the procession.
She was in good time to set up the front row directly behind Sky News and opposite ITV News. Perfectly placed for Allison’s and Helen’s image to be beamed around the world for the almost 2B viewers, among the enthusiastic crowd shots and scene-setting.
It was certainly a great place for celebrity spotting.
Our duo saw Philip Schofield, Julia Etchingham, Alex Beresford, Scarlett Moffat, Lucy Verasmy, Carol Kirkwood, Kay Burley and Alan Titchmarsh.
Not forgetting Rational’s own Chef and Bert, who being prepared, Helen had brought along for the great day.
Crowd Control for Event Success
The crowds began to build once the first trains started to arrive in Windsor around 6 a.m. The atmosphere was amazing and the weather was glorious. And there to protect all were the police using the latest crowd science training developed to respond to various terrorist threats by the College of Policing.
Thames Valley Police were supported by 100’s of police officers drafted in from various police forces. Being there for six hours, Helen had many officers stand in front of her. All were brilliant, happy to chat to the crowd and delighted to be working at such a prestigious event.
The final officer during the actual procession was Slough Police’s Commander. She had just volunteered to man the procession route as a regular police officer and was not in charge on the day.
Sadly all the officers were ordered to face the crowds to ensure there were no incidents. So they were unable to see any of the Royal Wedding procession. Rather like those many catering businesses across the country who are fundamental to the success of an event, but are too busy working to fully enjoy it.
Published Date: 22nd May 2018
Category: Blog, Events, News
Tags: AC Services, Events
15 May |
Yes But We Have No Bananas |
Bananas have been hitting the headlines recently in more ways than one.
Only last week, a leading supermarket charged a shopper more than £930 for just one banana, worth 11p. Computer error was blamed and a supermarket spokeswoman apologised profusely: “Whoops, looks like we’ve slipped up here.”
Joking apart, there are very serious concerns about the future of the humble banana. This follows the spread of a deadly fungus which is feared may wipe out the fruit completely. Bananas rate among the most popular of fruits. They taste great and they are high in potassium and protein and can even help lower blood pressure.
The most-exported banana in the world was the Gros Michel (Big Mike). This enjoyed supremacy for many decades until a fungus known as Panama disease or banana wilt almost completely wiped them out in the 1950s. In fact the song, Yes but we have no bananas directly refers to the event.
Cavendish Heir
Today, a variety called the Cavendish, bred originally in Derbyshire, accounts for 99% of banana export. This breed was immune to the fungus, until now. The disease has resurfaced under a different name, Tropical Race 4 (TR4). It is believed to be even more virulent and a distinct threat to the yellow delicacy.
According to Dan Koeppel, author of the bestselling book Banana: The fate of the fruit that changed the world, the latest strain is caused by a common type of fungus called Fusarium.
“A single clamp of contaminated dirt is enough to spread it like wildfire, and it can be transported by wind, cars, water,” he explains. “The pathogen works by invading a plant and infecting its roots, then moving up through the xylem – the tissue that transports water and nutrients – causing a blockage. The plant subsequently wilts and dies.”
Yellow Peril
Incidents of the fungus have been reported in Australia, South-east Asia and Africa, and experts are already likening it to the potato famine in Ireland in the 1840s. Farmers then refused to diversify. They grew only a few breeds of potato. This monoculture ultimately led to the global disaster, with millions dying directly from the potato shortage.
Now the banana industry is facing a similar problem. The demise of the sole heir to Big Mike, the Cavendish seems only a matter of time. Experts say that the only real solution would be to burn the plantations down and start over with a different crop.
However, all is not lost. Africa is currently undertaking a 12-month emergency project funded by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to tackle TR4. There are hopes that the disease can be contained to the areas where it has been found. This is very similar to the treatment of foot and mouth in the UK, where disinfectant baths and sprays helped contain the disease.
And recently, a strain of the Cavendish banana in Taiwan was discovered that might be resistant to the fungus. With promising results so far, with some of the plants still getting the disease, others seem to be stronger and able to fight it off.
We, at AC Services, hope that the banana industry survives and that the diversification works to restrict future outbreaks. Otherwise bananas will be another staple missing from the future UK catering menu.
Published Date: 15th May 2018
Category: Blog, Catering Business, News
Tags: Food producers
08 May |
Food & Drink Trade Show 2018 |
The sun was out and the town of Malvern was buzzing for the Food & Drink Trade Show 2018. The spectacular Three Counties Showground hosted the event, one of the most picturesque venues in the country, nestled at the bottom of the Malvern Hills.
The show was billed as a “unique blend of inspirational speciality food and drink products” with exhibitors coming from both the UK and internationally. There was plenty on show in all categories: fresh fish, patisserie, confectionery, the list was endless.
New for 2018 was the opportunity for buyers to see a selection of products exclusively from the three counties of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. The producers from these regions showcased their regional products to the hordes of visitors who attended the show. Existing suppliers mingled with new exhibitors, with nine newcomers this year, who had never before exhibited at a trade show.
Newbies
One of the newcomers was Colcombe House Cider, an emerging craft producer founded by Kier Rogers using apples hand selected from single estate orchards. The company feeds the trees with organic seaweed to help encourage growth and minimise stress.
Healthy Recipes exhibited MezzeSoul, a fresh pomegranate juice sauce brand. MezzeSoul pomegranate products are based on the legacy of Lebanese cuisine and are made entirely from natural ingredients with no artificial colourants and no preservatives.
Moveena Nutrition showcased healthy nutritious snacks handmade with 100% natural ingredients only, without any sugar, in a range of flavours such as Cranberrynutty, Walnutberry and Linseed fruity. Gluten and nut free and vegan options are available.
Finally, we must mention Welsh comapny Tast Natur . They create artisan botanical syrups from foraged and homegrown plants to add to food and drinks. The syrups use seasonal plants and are created in small batches, so new and exclusive products are continuously created throughout the year. Flavours include Lavender Latte, a Nettle G&T or a Rhubarb Prosecco.
Chef Demonstrations
In addition to the exhibitors, there was a range of chefs preparing dishes to delight the senses on the Love Food Roadshow‘s demonstration kitchen. Hosted by Celebrity Chef Felice Tocchini, the kitchen featured informative cookery demonstrations. These included “A Taste of the Three Counties – Belly of Gloucestershire old spot pig, Worcestershire honey, Hereford cider and The Taming of the Forest of Dean – Wild garlic gnocchi with roasted belly of pork, and wild garlic greens.”
For catering businesses in the north of the region served by AC Services, we recommend considering seeing whether next year’s show will build on the Food & Drink Trade Show 2018.
Published Date: 8th May 2018
Category: Blog, Catering Business, News
Tags: Food producers, Show report
01 May |
Royal Wedding and Other Summer Events |
It’s getting close to one of the biggest summer events of the year. Now people are deciding where they are going to be. In the pub? With friends? A street party? Yes, it’s the annual FA Cup Final on May 19. And apparently there’s the little matter of a Royal Wedding in London on the same day!
Hot on the heels of the birth of Prince Louis, the Royals will yet again be forced into the spotlight. Every aspect of the bride will be scrutinised from dress, shoes, hair and makeup to bridesmaids and family members. In parallel with the infamous Edward VIII, the global scrutiny will yet again be on an American divorcee’s influence on the Royal family. It will be a day to remember.
Festivals and Events
The wedding heralds the arrival of the summer entertainment season, with festivals and events happening all around the South West and Wales. There’s plenty to choose from.
If you are looking for something a bit different, try the Pop-up Pandas art installation at Longleat Safari & Adventure Park with over 100 painted pandas to discover. Each panda is hand-painted. Themes range from different artistic styles and elements of Chinese culture to English seasonal events and clothing traditions. The exhibition opens on 5 May.
How about celebrating Somerset Day? Held on May 11th, it honours King Alfred the Great’s routing of the Vikings from his Somerset stronghold in May 878? The day is actually more like a week. So there is plenty to do, from the Cheese and Cider Night at Wincanton Racecourse to the Great Somerset Tea Party.
Food Lovers
The Foodies Festival, the UK’s biggest food festival returns to Durdham Downs, Bristol from May 11-13, featuring Great British Bake Off winners baking live in The Cake & Desserts Theatre and top local chefs cooking their signature recipes in the Stoves Chefs Theatre. There are workshops galore including Prosecco and parmesan tasting, beer and chocolate tasting. As well as talks on the power of plant-based proteins and Kombucha.
Since being founded in 2004 as part of the Cowbridge Charter Trust’s 750-year celebrations, Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival has grown from a one-day event to a whole weekend of foodie family fun. Now it has over 100 food and drink exhibitors, food demonstrations, musical entertainment. All spread around the town of Cowbridge.
If you are looking for somewhere later in the summer, make your way to Wales for the Big Cheese 27 to 29 July. Set in one of Europe’s largest castles, Caerphilly hosts an extravaganza of street entertainers, living history encampments, music, dance, traditional funfair, folk dancing, falconry, fire eating, minstrels, and troubadours. Attracting over 80,000 people annually, the Big Cheese weekend is a free event.
Catering’s Opportunity?
So what do all these summer events have in common (apart from the wedding!)? Each took a local interest, turned it into a reason to celebrate and then into an annual event. Often it’s a group of businesses coming together for mutual benefit.
Yes summer events might be hassle to organise. But much like Christmas they provide valuable revenue and profit for the catering trade.
Published Date: 1st May 2018
Category: Blog, Catering Business, News
Tags: Attractions, Events, Hotel, Pubs, Restaurant
24 Apr |
Five Shows in One |
The Farm Shop & Deli Show 2018 took place last week at the NEC and was co-located with four other events – The Food & Drink Expo, The Ingredients Show, Foodex, and National Convenience Show.
A total of over 1500 exhibitors attended the whole event. They represented the whole spectrum of the food and drink supply chain, from retailers to manufacturers.
There is an increase in demand for locally farmed and sourced produce. According to one report, retail sales are expected to rise to £4.2bn from £3.6bn by 2021. Therefore, the popularity of the Farm Shop & Deli Show 2018 was extremely high with visitors already relishing the idea of artisan products. And the show did not disappoint.
The Farm Shop & Deli Show is the sector’s leading event for delicatessens, farm shops, garden centres, restaurants, food halls, butcheries and bakeries. Hence hundreds of companies showcased their best wares.
Live Events
The Farm Shop & Deli Live stage offered an all-star speaker line up. Each session was curated to cover relevant trends within the sector, such as the importance in terms of adding value of sourcing local produce and stocking identifiable brands. Topics ranged from food waste to the booming trend of free-from foods.
The Dragon’s Pantry offered daring entrepreneurs the opportunity to present their best ideas to a panel of industry experts. New products and ideas were pitched. In return, experts offered professional advice on the best way to market and refine the offerings.
According to Farm Shop & Deli Show 2018 Commercial Manager, Dan Eversfield, “artisan food continues to be one of the success stories of the UK food and drink industry, driving growth in this sector. British food and drink exports grew by 8.3% year-on-year to £4.9bn, with international retailers looking to take advantage of the UK’s food and drink manufacturing expertise. When you also take into account the weaker pound, products from these shores are in demand and we expect this year’s event to be a hive of activity with buyers joining from around the globe.”
Cross country representation
This year, 25 countries were exhibiting in the overall Food and Drink Expo. They were from Canada, China, Cyprus to Iceland, India and Iran with nine featured pavilions. These include Taste of Nova Scotia; Taste Cork; Food & Drink Wales; Scotland Food & Drink; the Italian Trade Commission; Orkney Quality Food; and Chambre D’Agriculture De Dordogne, as well as Dadao TONGTU (Beijing Expo) and Iran International Exhibitions Co.
The 5 shows return in two years time at the same venue to offer unparalleled networking opportunities as suppliers, retailers and manufacturers from across the industry gather in the heart of Birmingham.
Published Date: 24th April 2018
Category: Blog, Catering Business, News
Tags: Food producers, mass catering, Show report
17 Apr |
Rational Oven Cleaning Products, Free Carriage |
It’s time to talk about oven cleaning products. In particular, chemical cleaners for Rational ovens. Here at AC Services Southern, we supply a range of cleaning solutions for Rational ovens from Detergent and Cleaning tablets to Care and Rinse tablets, Grill Cleaner liquid and Rinse Aid liquid.
Rational Ovens are consistently and constantly upgrading its products and the newer CombiMaster® Plus units are no exception. The CombiMaster® Plus is a tailor-made solution for anyone who is looking for a classic combi-steamer and wishes to operate it manually, delivering exceptional food quality, helping to optimise raw materials usage and lowering resource consumption.
Automatic Cleaning
The company has now incorporated an automatic cleaning facility into this model, which allows it to make itself hygienically clean, even overnight if required. It also now uses rinse tabs. It couldn’t be simpler: choose the necessary cleaning stage and insert the tabs displayed.
These newly integrated features make it more important than ever to ensure that Rational oven owners get the right cleaning products to maximise the performance of their appliances.
We are unashamed when we urge our customers to buy the correct product as we know that only with long term care will your oven provide lifetime performance. That care includes using genuine Rational cleaning products at all times.
Every cleaning process cares and retains the value of your oven when you use the correct product. Depending on your oven type you will need different cleaning products. Remember that you may have several types of ovens in your kitchen, each needing its own cleaning product combination.
Free Carriage
AND there’s an added bonus this month. Because we’re offering FREE carriage for cleaning products from now until the end of May.
This time of year is notoriously quiet. While there are no big seasonal events, no big tournaments until the summer and with the weather not exactly being conducive to days out, many establishments are seeing a lull in activity. Take the opportunity to restock your cleaning requirements and take advantage of the free carriage by using the coupon code ‘ free ‘.
We supply Rational oven cleaning products which are specially formulated for maximum cleaning power and optimum care and suitable for all Selfcooking Center® units (SCC) and the CombiMaster Plus®:
- Rational Oven Cleaner Tabs. These are highly concentrated tablets specially developed. They have a new complex set of active ingredients designed to guarantee maximum cleaning power.
- The Rational Oven Care Tabs. These have special scale-dissolving ingredients to prevent limescale building up. This gives reliability without a water softener and the need for time-consuming descaling.
- Rational Rinse Tablets provide highly effective care with active protection.
- The Rational Grill Cleaner is for use with a hand-held spray gun.
- Rational Rinse Aid is also specifically designed
To order your Rational oven cleaning products, simply go to online sales, select the cleaning products you need. Then all you need is to enter free as the voucher code to get free carriage.
Or call us on 01454 322222 for more advice of how to keep on top of your Rational oven cleaning.
Published Date: 17th April 2018
Category: Blog, Cleaning Products, News, Online Sales
Tags: Cleaning, Cleaning Products, Online Sales, Rational Ovens
10 Apr |
Free School Meals Change |
There is really only one subject dominating the news at the moment and that is the issue of free school meals. School lunches have been offered for decades. Those in primary education in the 1960s and 1970s will probably still recall the trays of overboiled cabbage and swede, and solid pastry mince beef pies.
The great British school lunch menu has come a long way since then, with a choice of much healthier and more nutritious meals. The last week or so however, has seen a storm brewing over the axing of free school lunches due to Government budget pressures.
The Education Department has revealed that it does not think that “a free school lunch for every child in the first three years of primary school… is a sensible use of public money”.
Free school lunches came into effect in September 2014 and at the time, the introduction caused a great deal of consternation within schools as 2,700 primary schools had to install new catering facilities before they could even think about offering free meals.
However, the majority rose to the challenge and adapted their kitchens for the provision required. And the policy has shown results, with many schools reporting an increase in the uptake of cooked school lunches, not only by those entitled to free lunches.
Entitlement to Free Meals
With the old scheme, all children in reception, Years 1 and 2 automatically qualified for free school meals in England and Scotland. In Year 3, free meal eligibility is linked to benefits.
Now, parents earning up to £7,400 a year are entitled to a free school meal. The average cost of a lunch is £2.30, which equals £46 per month per child. Multiply that by two or three or four children at school and the cost rises to £92, £138 and £184 per month respectively.
Perhaps it is understandable why the National Union of Teachers general secretary Kevin Courtney said cancelling the universal offer of a hot meal in the day “mean-spirited and wrong-headed”.
Valentine Mulholland, head of policy at the National Association of Head Teachers, said: “after the nightmare of bringing this policy in at breakneck speed and all the capital funding spent to upgrade kitchens and dining facilities, it’s pretty sad to see this U-turn.”
A Department for Education spokesman said: “we continue to support the country’s most disadvantaged children through free school meals, the £2.5bn funding given to schools through the Pupil Premium to support their education and the recently announced £26m investment to kick-start or improve breakfast clubs in at least 1,700 schools.”
Best Meal of the Day
The only alternative on the table so far is free breakfasts, which are vastly cheaper at a 10th of the price, and if this is the case, then the catering staff may have to change the menus so that children get maximum nutritional value from the first meal of the day.
A sugar tax on fizzy drinks has just been announced and it is believed that the revenue from that (expected to be £200m+) could be reinvested in breakfasts. The days of the full English breakfast may be returning, with the most nutritional meals being served up to provide energy for the rest of the day.
Published Date: 10th April 2018
Category: Blog, Catering Business, News
Tags: mass catering, schools
04 Apr |
Gloucestershire Food Producers |
Producers across the country are embracing local and organic ingredients and eco-friendly manufacturing methods, and Gloucestershire food producers are no different. Snuggled in the heart of England, Gloucestershire boasts a food heritage that goes back centuries.
Simon Weaver’s Cotswold Organic Dairy produces some amazingly creamy and award-winning cheeses. The company farms organically in the Cotswolds at Kirkham Farm where Fresian cows feed on organically grown grass. The milk travels a mere five metres to the creamery every morning where expert cheesemakers turn it into a delicious range of artisan products.
Choose from Organic Cotswold Brie, Blue-Veined Brie or Herb Brie. Importantly, the farm encourages and promotes wildlife with no artificial fertilisers or chemicals used to grow crops, and the creamery itself is powered using renewable energy sources.
Jess’s Ladies produces milk, cream and yoghurt and is run by the Vaughan family who milk 80 cows on a farm. The cows (the Ladies) produce un-homogenised, pasteurised milk on site. This is taken straight to local shelves to ensure the best possible flavour. Each lady is known by name and milked personally. As the milk is not homogenised, the milk retains its natural composition. The most recent addition to the menu is luxurious natural yoghurt, made by hand.
Gloucestershire Pork
The Cotswold Farmer has been part of the local food community since the 1970s, priding itself on environmental responsibility. The company has sustained a well-deserved reputation for its sausages, using a mixture of ingredients and recipes. Toulouse Style pork sausages, Italian Style, Spicy Spanish Style, Cotswold Herb Garden Style are all on the menu. Their ingredients include red wine, garlic, toasted fennel seeds and traditional Italian and Spanish herbs and spices.
Also on offer are Cotswold Gluten Free pork sausages and as alternatives to pork, venison sausages and St Georges beef sausages. The pigs are bred and reared on the family farm in the North Cotswolds.
Acres of Orchards
Another of Gloucestershire food producers is Day’s Cottage. It has over 20 acres of orchards to help the company produce award-winning apple juice for more than 20 years. Pure apple juice, cider and perry are all manufactured using traditional methods and apples from traditional, mature orchards in Gloucestershire.
No additives or preservatives are used in manufacture. The juice of over 1kg of fresh fruit fills each 75cl bottle. The orchards are all free from sprays, chemicals or artificial fertilisers. The ciders and perry are fermented and matured in oak barrels. Only old varieties are used, such as Morgan Sweet and Foxwhelp apples and Brown Bess and Blakeney Red pears.
Exotic Additions
Ethical Addictions based in Kingsholm, Gloucester, is a small family company that sources high quality coffee buying direct from the growers. The coffee comes from villages in Brazil and Tanzania. Products include the Grizzly Bear Ethical Coffee Blend and shade grown coffee.
Finally if you’re after raw coconut oil why not try out Bula Batiki which works with Fijian islanders directly to ensure their communities benefit.
Proving once again that there are some unusual as well as mainstream food producers in the counties served by AC Services (Southern).
Published Date: 4th April 2018
Category: Blog, Catering Business, News
Tags: AC Services, Food producers, Hotel, Pubs, Restaurant