That’s according to Bidvest Foodservice campaign and activation manager Gail Bridgeman, who, at the launch of the food distributor’s new Christmas range in London, said: “Last year we saw a slight shift in consumer trends with more eating out over the festive season.
“People who dined out [last Christmas] were doing so more often and were seeking all-day dining options. Eating out also spreads spend over a greater amount of occasions.”
As a result, Bidvest Foodservice launched 80 new products in its Christmas range – developed by in-house chefs – to help operators better tap in to changing demands.
New wine range
The range includes starters, main courses and desserts, as well as tableware, crackers and new wines by Bidvest’s Vivas wine team.
New products include apricot and cranberry chipolatas, and Cumberland and ginger stuffing balls wrapped in streaky bacon.
Desserts play into the trend for alcohol-infused products, such as popping candy prosecco and lemon cheesecake, and gin and lavender parfait.
The foodservice company has also produced sharable items including baked Camembert and cranberry compote in three cheese pastry, cheese and pickle bites, and sheltie seeded Atlantic salmon fillet goujons in response to diners’ demand for food they can eat with friends and family.
Bridgeman added: “Although Christmas is often a time of traditions, the marketplace is fast-moving with a plethora of trends and eating habits continually emerging.
Meat-free options
“As well as offering the popular Christmas recipes, it is important for operators to cater for varying consumer demands, from meat-free options for vegetarians to new indulgent products.”
The firm has also introduced the Drink Me Spiced Chai Latte instant chai hot drink product to its range, along with new wines.
New wines launched for Christmas include a Vina Lupina Pinot Grigio, described as “flavourful and fruity” on the nose, with a “dry and crisp” finish on the pallet.
A new rosé zinfandel from the Chalk Farms range and a shiraz viognier in the Yering range, which is full-bodied with dark fruit flavours.