Arguably, chefs today are under more pressure than ever. Not only are they contending with economic market challenges but ever-changing consumer behaviours mean they are increasingly put to the test when it comes to customer expectations. CHEF investigates three key factors facing the industry right now…
1. Alternative diets are on the increase with consumers cutting out certain foods either for health reasons or as a lifestyle choice. This is reflected in the value of the free-from market, which has surged by over 40% to more than £806m in the last year alone*. It is simply an expectation that dining establishments will cater to a variety of dietary requirements by providing a free-from menu with a range of dishes to choose from.
2. Consumers expect so much more than just a really delicious meal when dining out; they are happy to pay for, and expect, an experience. Recent figures from Barclaycard show that spending increased in pubs by 20% and restaurants by 16% last April, however spending in department stores dropped by 1%**. This underpins the idea that consumers are spending more money on experiences rather than possessions – experiences they can then share online with friends and family.
3. There is concern around the potential impact of Brexit, not just on staffing but on the price of ingredients currently sourced from overseas. With food prices likely to go up Kantar Worldpanel, July 2017by 8% by the end of any transitional period from the EU***, chefs will need to consider increasing their menu prices or keeping costs down by using alternative suppliers or ingredients.
Putting all these factors together, it is important that there are savvy solutions available to chefs, which enable them to create delicious dishes and memorable culinary experiences but don’t require an entire menu overhaul.
The new CHEF All Natural Lamb Stock is one such solution. Launched in time for spring, this delicious natural stock is made from 3kg of lamb bones per litre of stock, carefully sourced vegetables, herbs, water – and nothing else. And, it’s gluten-free, meaning chefs don’t need to prepare a separate sauce or gravy, or even menu or cook specific dishes for those looking to avoid gluten.
The CHEF All Natural Lamb Stock is ready in minutes and delivers consistent results every time, allowing chefs time to focus on creating seasonal, on-trend dishes to make their menus stand out.
This new product joins the range of CHEF All Natural Stocks, CHEF Liquid Concentrates and the CHEF Premium Sauces ranges – offering a variety of high quality solutions that do not compromise on taste.
By using CHEF products, chefs can eliminate the need to prepare multiple options, save time, cut down on costs and maintain consistency. At CHEF, our mission is to create stocks and sauces that help give chefs quality, time-saving solutions to allow them to cater to a range of dietary requirements in one pot.
CHEF All Natural Stocks and other products within the CHEF range are available to buy now. Contact the CHEF team at 0800 745 845 or visit www.nestleprofessional.co.uk /chef for more information.
* Kantar Worldpanel, July 2017
** The Guardian, Just do it: the experience economy and how we turned our backs on ‘stuff’, 2017
*** Harry Smit, author of Future Food Security in the UK, March 2017
