Many of the foods eaten during Chinese New Year have a symbolic significance, for example whole fish is widely consumed as it is believed to represent togetherness and abundance, while chicken is eaten for prosperity. The chicken is usually presented with the head, tail and feet to symbolise completeness. Noodles, meanwhile, represent a long life and superstition dictates that they should, therefore, not be cut. Clams and spring rolls are also popular and symbolize wealth.
With Sharwood’s range of ready to use sauces and accompaniments, it’s easier for operators to embrace Chinese New Year than ever before. Premier Foods’ Development Chef Mark Rigby, says: “All operators can get on board with Chinese New Year, for example, if you’re a sandwich bar or a pub offering a snacking menu, then why not offer a limited edition noodle wrap or an oriental salad dressing? Larger operators may want to take this further and have Chinese nights, like curry nights, and offer stir-fries, spare ribs, jumbo prawns and stir-fried rice with all the dips and glazes.”
The Sharwood’s range of Oriental sauces is truly versatile, and can be used straight from the jar or in marinades, dressings or soups. Sharwood’s range of authentic accompaniments including noodles and prawn crackers, as well as Sharwood’s branded takeaway boxes, complete the eastern experience.
Sharwood’s ready to use sauces are available in 2.3kg jars, yielding 25 portions, and benefit from 18 months shelf life un-opened, and 7 days shelf life once opened, to obtain maximum menu rotation and minimum waste.
If you need help developing a Chinese offering, Sharwood’s can work closely with you to develop an oriental offering through recipe support as well as bespoke solutions. With Chinese New Year just around the corner, Sharwood’s offers the following tips to ensure caterers make the most of this profitable occasion.
- Offer as many dishes as you possibly can without compromising on quality. One of the things people like most about Chinese food is that they can try a bit of everything. 2. To keep things in the kitchen simple while still offering a choice, vary the protein in the dish. For example you can offer four types of Chow Mein – pork, chicken, prawn and beef as the vegetables and noodles are all the same. 3. If this isn’t possible offer a different set menu each night for a week – for example chicken on a Friday, beef on a Sunday and just vary the dishes. 4. Offer different portion sizes so that people can either enjoy a main course or pick lots of smaller dishes to share. 5. If you aren’t an expert in Chinese cooking use ready to use sauces like Sharwood’s. These high quality sauces offer consistency, with those all important authentic properties, meaning you’ll have the base to create an array of dishes simply by adding different sauces. 6. Avoid the trap that a lot of chefs fall into by serving rice with everything. Instead offer just one rice and one noodle dish and plenty of mains. 7. Always include one or two soups to meet customer demand for lighter options. 8. Use good quality meat that will stand up to being stir-fried. Cheap meat cooked quickly at high temperatures will result in a chewy, tough dish. 9. Don’t forget your vegetarian and health conscious customers – offer a vegetable chow mein and add fruit such as mango to give it an exciting edge. 10. Get into the festive spirit by decorating your operation with some Chinese lanterns. The subtle lighting will create the perfect ambience.
For further information contact the Caterer AdviceLine on FREEPHONE 0800 328 4246.
For press information please contact:
Jacqui Goldsmith The Hub PR & Marketing Ltd t: 01959 564449 f: 01959 564006 e: jacqui@thehubonline.co.uk
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Premier Foods is UK’s largest food manufacturer and offers a portfolio of iconic British brands to the retail and foodservice sectors from McDougalls, Bisto and Sharwood’s to Birds, Quorn and Branston.
Premier Foods employs around 20,000 people throughout more than 60 sites within the UK. Its focus is on growing its iconic British brands through product innovation and brand extension supported by efficient manufacture and distribution to meet the needs of its wide and varied customer base.
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For further information or photography, contact:
Helen Gough,
The Hub PR & Marketing Ltd
Tel: 01959 564449
Fax: 01959 564006
email: helen@thehubonline.co.uk