The age of the alternative diet

From gluten-free to dairy-free, the number of alternative diets gaining traction in recent years is remarkable. The popularity of the free-from category is continuing to grow at around 35% year on year*. CHEF looks at what is driving this trend and how chefs can make the most of this movement on their menus.

The significant increase in Brits choosing to cut out certain foods is being propelled by two core consumer factions: those with an allergy or special dietary requirements, and those choosing to follow an alternative diet or lifestyle choice. With increased awareness on both sides of the coin, the value of the free-from market has surged by over 40% to more than £806m in the last year alone**.

To keep pace, chefs are under increasing pressure to incorporate tasty free-from dishes on their menu. These meals shouldn’t feel like an alternative option, they should be just as flavoursome as everything else available from the kitchen.

Appealing to a wide range of dietary preferences may seem daunting for chefs, due to the potential rise in food costs, time and additional food waste. However, it needn’t require a complete menu overhaul. Instead, chefs should look at ways they can cater to a range of dietary requirements in one go, without the need to make alternative options.

The complete product set within the CHEF All Natural Stocks, CHEF Liquid Concentrates and the CHEF Premium Sauces ranges are all gluten free and CHEF offers a variety of high quality solutions that do not compromise on taste. For example, the NEW CHEF All Natural Lamb stock is now available in time for spring. It is made from 3kg of lamb bones per litre of stock, carefully sourced vegetables, herbs, water – and nothing else. These gluten-free products mean that chefs need not prepare a separate menu offering or cook specific dishes for those looking to avoid gluten.

By using finished 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/our-solutions/chef for more information and stockists.

*Kantar Worldpanel (April 2017), Inflation continues as ‘free from’ booms

**Kantar Worldpanel (July 2017)

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