Bakery and snack NPD: From Higgidy’s Spanish-inspired quiche to heritage grains from Matthews Cotswold Flour

From hearty quiches to perfectly portioned catering bites, we explore the innovative creations shaking up retail shelves and foodservice menus. Whether you're seeking a winter-warming meal solution or the perfect snacks for a football watch party, there’s plenty to discover in this week’s new product developments.

Higgidy’s Smoky Chorizo and Slow Roasted Red Pepper Quiche with Spicy ‘Nduja

Higgidy is embracing the colder months with a bold twist on the traditional quiche.

The Smoky Chorizo and Slow Roasted Red Pepper Quiche with Spicy ‘Nduja is inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Spain, boasting a vibrant blend of smoky chorizo, slow-roasted red peppers and a fiery ‘Nduja sausage. Encased in crumbly shortcrust pastry and finished with a spicy chorizo and paprika crumb topping, it’s the perfect antidote to chilly evenings.

Designed to serve four and cook in just 18 minutes, Higgidy recommends pairing the 400g quiche with oven-baked potato wedges, with the recipe for these conveniently printed on the packaging. Available from Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Ocado and Booths outlets across the UK for an RRP of £4.60. Served hot or cold, it’s bound to be a hit with consumers seeking hearty flavors and convenient cooking solutions.

Frank Dale’s Savory Puff Tart and Mini Chocolate Cup Selections

Frank Dale has launched two new collections that are sure to make a splash in the UK foodservice sector.

The Savory Puff Tart Selection offers a versatile assortment of four flavors, including tomato, red pepper and feta; vintage cheddar, leek and bacon; garlic mushroom and spinach; and salmon, cream cheese and chives. This heat-and-serve option is designed for ease and efficiency, allowing caterers to prepare delicious canapés without the hassle.

Meanwhile, the Mini Chocolate Cup Selection provides an equally tempting dessert option with flavors such as tiramisu, lemon cheesecake, banoffee pie and raspberry panna cotta, all beautifully presented in bite-sized chocolate cups.

Both selections include 12 of each flavor.

Made in Frank Dale’s BRC AA+ graded, allergen-controlled facility, these frozen delights are available through Central Foods.

“We pride ourselves on creating products that food service and catering operators are proud to serve and call their own at those all-important events, and these two new items will give our customers even more choice,” said MD Edward Miles.

Wenzel’s Farm: Venison Snack Sticks

Wenzel’s Farm has long been known for its hand-crafted, small-batch meat snacks, and its latest offering adds a wild twist to the lineup.

The new Venison Snack Sticks come in three varieties – Original, Teriyaki and Jalapeno Cheddar – each made with grass-fed venison to deliver a high-protein, gluten-free snack.

Packaged in convenient single-serve 1.5 oz packs with an RRP of $2.49, these snack sticks are ideal for consumers looking for a snack that supports an active lifestyle. The brand, which has been perfecting its recipes since 1949, takes pride in its artisanal approach, smoking the snack sticks over hardwood for that signature taste.

Available at local convenience stores in Wisconsin and online at Wenzel’s Farm.

Heritage grains from Matthews Cotswold Flour

This Sourdough September, the eighth-generation British flour mill invites bakers of all skill levels to celebrate the art of breadmaking through its Super Sourdough Club. This initiative, led by renowned sourdough baker Elaine Boddy, offers bakers the tools and resources they need to create beautiful, nutritious loaves at home.

Members of the Club gain access to a Sourdough Journal filled with recipes, tips and exclusive video content, making it easy to perfect their craft. Boddy highlights the importance of using quality ingredients, especially regenerative flours from Matthews Cotswold Flour, which not only yield delicious results but also support sustainable farming practices. With ancient grains like Einkorn and heritage barley, Matthews Cotswold Flour ensures that bakers can enjoy bread that is rich in nutrients and easy to digest.

Wholegrain Einkorn Flour (1.5kg - £4.95): Einkorn, one of the earliest cultivated forms of wheat, is prized for its rich, nutty flavor and high levels of protein, vitamins and antioxidants. Its lower gluten content makes it easier to digest, while still providing a satisfying texture in sourdough loaves.

Heritage Barley Flour (1.5kg - £2.95), with its deep, earthy taste, brings a rustic charm to sourdough, enhancing its complexity with a subtle sweetness and a boost of fiber and essential minerals.

Stoneground Traditional Regenerative Strong Bread Flour (1.5kg - £2.80): Strong white bread flour traditionally stoneground milled in the Cotswolds from regeneratively farmed UK wheat. Regenerative agriculture focuses on encouraging soil fertility, maximizing biodiversity and reducing chemical inputs.

Sourdough bread, with its long fermentation process, breaks down gluten and phytic acid, making the nutrients more bioavailable. With the growing popularity of home baking, Matthews Cotswold Flour’s Super Sourdough Club provides the perfect platform for bakers to enhance their skills and embrace healthier, more sustainable baking practices.

“Using great flour is the best way to get the results that you want, whether it’s in your starter or in your dough or both, and the new regenerative flours are absolutely perfect for both,” said Boddy.

Baker Street’s Rye & Wheat Bread

Baker Street is making waves in the bakery aisle, securing a 1-star rating at this year’s Great Taste Awards for its Rye & Wheat Bread. The Great Taste judges praised the bread for its sweet, hoppy aroma and balanced flavor profile, noting its perfect texture and satisfying chew.

The accolade comes at a time when rye bread is experiencing significant growth, with Baker Street leading the charge in this subcategory.

“Interestingly, Rye Bread as a category is growing fast in convenience – likely from top-up shoppers looking for healthier options,” said Lauren Meadows, head of UK Brands at St Pierre Groupe.

“The category is up 17% in value and 12% in volume when you look at convenience alone. And the Baker Street products are driving this, up 52% value and 56% volume.”

As part of the St Pierre Groupe portfolio, Baker Street benefits from the backing of Grupo Bimbo, the world’s largest bakery business. The brand’s recent distribution expansion with Co-op has also contributed to its success, with Baker Street products now outperforming the competition in the convenience sector.

“Proof that consumers will opt for quality branded products, no matter where they shop,” added Meadows.

Available in major retailers like Morrisons, Co-op and NISA, and online via Ocado.

Tostitos kicks off the NFL season with legendary trio

The official Chip and Dip sponsor of the NFL is kicking off the 2024 football season with a bang, enlisting the help of legendary NFL teammates Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman for its latest campaign. The trio stars in a series of six comedic commercials, reminding fans that no game day is complete without Tostitos on the snack table.

From classic Tostitos SCOOPS! to zesty Tostitos Chunky Salsa, these snacks are sure to be a hit at any football watch party.

In addition to the new ads, Tostitos is launching exciting gameday promotions, including the return of Team Bags, which feature team-inspired packaging for fans of specific NFL teams. The brand is also introducing a unique Tostitos for Two deal, offering fans 2-for-1 coupons whenever their team scores a two-point conversion. Text a short code to be entered to win prizes & tickets to a 2025 NFL game of your choice.

Popcorn Kitchen’s and Craft Gin Club’s unique union

The artisanal snack brand is taking food pairings to the next level with an exciting collaboration with Craft Gin Club, the UK’s largest community of gin aficionados.

Throughout September, Popcorn Kitchen’s timeless ‘Simply Sweet’ popcorn will feature in Craft Gin Club’s monthly box, which includes small-batch Northern Irish gin and a selection of perfectly matched cocktail essentials. It’s a deliciously indulgent experience that promises to elevate any gin-tasting session with the right balance of sweetness and crunch.

The trend of pairing snacks with beverages has been gaining traction, particularly among Gen Z consumers who value unique and curated food experiences. Popcorn Kitchen has embraced this trend, recognizing the importance of forging collaborations that align with its discovery-driven brand ethos. Founder Louise Webb sees this partnership as an exciting opportunity to introduce Popcorn Kitchen to a wider, discerning foodie audience who appreciate premium food and drink combinations.

In addition to the gin partnership, Popcorn Kitchen’s ‘Simply Salted’ variety will make a guest appearance in Craft Gin Club’s fledgling Fine Rum Club box. With access to over 200,000 newsletter subscribers, 100,000+ gin club magazine recipients and a social media reach that’s fast-approaching one million, this collaboration is a major win for Popcorn Kitchen.

“We are a discerning, one-stop shop for all things popcorn, so really looking forward to rubbing shoulders with a bustling foodie community who simply refuse to compromise when it comes to either their alcoholic beverages or accompanying nibbles,” said Popcorn Kitchen founder Louise Webb.