Northamptonshire, England-based Central Foods has added to its buffet, starter and tapas range for foodservice with the launch of vegan-friendly Moroccan-style KaterVeg Cauliflower Bites coated gluten-free spiced quinoa breadcrumbs. Presented as a tapas dish, starter or platter pleaser for sharing, the product is suitable for coeliacs as well as vegetarians, vegans and “flexitarians.”
“There is a growing demand for great quality, free-from products for the foodservice sector across all day parts and all serving occasions. Increasingly, operators are looking for items that will suit a variety of dietary needs, as it helps to avoid menu proliferation,” said Gordon Lauder, managing director of the frozen food distribution company.
He continued: “KaterVeg Cauliflower Bites are novel, versatile and trendy. Cauliflower is currently a foodie favorite – we’re seeing it served as ‘caulisteaks,’ en-croute, as ‘rice’ and in other formats – and it has a host of health and nutritional benefits too. Middle Eastern and Persian flavors are also on trend, so this really does tick all the boxes for what’s hot and happening right now in foodservice.”
The product, which may be oven baked or deep fried, can be ready to serve from frozen in just four minutes. The natural florets range in weight from approximately 15 to 35 grams each.
Central Foods supplies more than 400 different lines to foodservice customers. In addition to vegetarian and free-from items, it portfolio includes meat products, baked foods and canapés, buffet fare, desserts and puddings. The company currently sells to more than 240 independent wholesalers, as well as to larger national and regional wholesalers, and foodservice caterers.
