With 86% of UK consumers wanting to eat more Eastern Mediterranean food when dining out(1), the appetite for the cuisine continues to grow. Responding to this demand, Paulig PRO is extending its Eastern Mediterranean range with three new Santa Maria products, giving operators an easy way to bring vibrant, trend-led flavours to menus.
The launch of Santa Maria Amba Mango Sauce, Aleppo Pepper Paste and Baba Ganoush enables operators across QSR, casual dining, food-to-go, pubs & bars and contract catering to refresh menus with exciting Eastern Mediterranean flavours, without increasing labour costs, specialist skills or ingredient complexity.
With 74% of diners looking for new flavours when dining out(2) and 89% finding Eastern Mediterranean flavours appealing(3), the opportunity for operators is clear. The three ready-to-use products allow chefs to introduce flavour discovery while keeping dishes accessible and operationally simple.
The products are designed to help operators drive trial, repeat visits and incremental sales, while delivering the quality and flavour profile of chef-led dishes without the additional preparation. From adding a new sauce to a familiar dish to creating an entirely new menu item, the range offers flexibility across dayparts and menu formats.
The three new, easy-to-use and versatile Santa Maria products are:
Amba Mango Sauce – made with 4-5 mangos per bottle, this vibrant Eastern Mediterranean sauce combines fruity sweetness with fresh acidity. Ideal with fried chicken, falafel and wraps, it can also be used as a dressing, glaze or mixed into mayonnaise.
Aleppo Pepper Paste – inspired by Syria and southeastern Turkey, this rich tomato and chilli paste delivers fruity depth with soft, controlled heat. A versatile alternative to harissa or gochujang, it is ideal for bowls, grilled meats, seafood and vegetables.
Baba Ganoush – a smooth, earthy aubergine dip with sun-dried tomato, basil and a subtle chilli kick. Perfect for falafel pitas, shawarma wraps or as a versatile mezze dip alongside hummus and guacamole.
Premium quality, zero prep burden
For operators, the appeal goes beyond flavour. Each product is ready to use, providing kitchens with a premium, chef-crafted result without increased labour, specialist skills or preparation time. This means menu development at speed and consistent quality across every site, from a QSR counter to a multi-site contract catering operation.
Plant-based by design
Many traditional Eastern Mediterranean dishes are plant-based by nature, making this launch a natural fit for operators responding to demand for vegan options. As all three products are ready to use, kitchens can build vegan-friendly dishes into everyday service without special orders or extra preparation.
Barnaby MacAdam, Development Chef at Paulig PRO, said:
“We’re really proud of our latest innovations, which bring accessible, exciting flavours to the kitchen to empower chefs and operators to unlock a world of flavour and create exceptional dining experiences. The high mango content, at 54%, brings vibrancy to our ready-to-serve Amba Mango Sauce, working particularly well as a topping for shawarmas and open flatbreads.
The ruby-red Aleppo Pepper Paste can be spread directly onto pita for an easy snack or used to add a punchy flavour to any dish, from marinades to dressings.
Baba Ganoush, our hero dip of Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, works beautifully alongside a sandwich or burger as it does on a mezze platter, where it’s the star of the show.”
To explore the full range and discover how the products can enhance your menu offerings, please download Paulig PRO’s Eastern Mediterranean Playbook.
Sources -
1: Cumbria test November 2024
2: Paulig PRO – Taste the Future Flavour Trend Report 2026
3: Cumbria test November 2024
