Welcome to GRATE!
Your Weekly Slice of Food Innovation!
As the crisp air of autumn sets in, so does a fresh wave of product launches across key food retailers. With the cost of living continuing to shape consumer habits, food retailers are stepping up to bring the restaurant experience straight to your home. This autumn, innovation in chilled ready meals and value-added offerings is all about indulgent, chef-inspired flavours—without the hefty price tag of dining out. From gourmet twists on comfort classics to convenient, high-quality meals, including plant-based options, brands are delivering an elevated eating experience that’s easy on the wallet. With extensive coverage, it was hard to miss M&S’s exciting collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge, bringing restaurant-quality meals with his signature flavours directly to your kitchen— check it out here. The team at Sainsburys, headed up by the super talented Claire Hughes, Director of Product and Innovation, have also launched its new Autumn/Winter trends report, read the highlights here.
As always, enjoy the read
Annie x
M&S ONION BHAJI TOPPED SHEPHERDS PIE
I can confirm that this tastes as good as it looks!! Inspired by traditional cooking techniques and dishes, the M&S Collection Onion Bhaji Topped Shepherd's Pie is delicious. Indian inspired spiced lamb topped with crushed potato and finished with a fragrant spiced onion bhaji topping. Part of the M&S Indian range, the team there have spent over a year developing the range, which features nine new Collection dishes inspired by various Indian regions, specialities like the Delhi Butter Chicken, inspired by a 1950s Old Delhi recipe, and the 4 Fire Smoked Pulled Lamb Keema Rolls filled with fragrant garam masala spices. The improved cooking techniques include using newly sliced onions daily and investing in innovative ovens to achieve the smoky flavours of a traditional tandoor.
SAINSBURYS NEW AUTUMN RANGE
Sainsburys have launched over 180 products into their fresh Autumn ranges last week. 115 of them brand new lines over many exciting new ranges. The Pan Asian range is extensive and has a very colourful presence on shelf. There is also a notable increase in ready meals focussing on veg forward dishes, as well as slow cooked meats & raw first cook fish. The range has moved away from plastic trays and are all nutritionally balanced and bursting with vibrant flavours.
THANKS PLANTS NEW MEAL POTS
Irish brand Thanks Plants is set to launch a new range of meal pots this autumn, marking a departure from their usual ‘meatless meat’ products. With over 20g of protein per pot, the meal pots feature wholesome ingredients like soaked beans for added texture and nutrition. The three flavours—Cauliflower and Coconut Dal, Hearty Italian Kale and Bean Stew, and Thai Yellow Curry—offer a quick, healthy meal option, ready in just four minutes. Perfect for the grab-and-go section, these pots reflect Thanks Plants' commitment to wholefood ingredients with no artificial additives. Launching October 2024!
TESCO FIRST-EVER FINEST STEAKHOUSE RANGE
Tesco has launched its first-ever Finest Steakhouse range, offering shoppers a premium, restaurant-style experience at home. The new range features 23 products including British Aberdeen Angus steaks like T-bone, ribeye, and thick-cut fillet, all dry-aged for up to 35 days. Alternative mains including Wagyu burgers, duck breast supremes, slow-cooked Ossobuco, pork belly and smoky beef ribs. Premium sides include triple cooked chips, rarebit dauphinoise potatoes and truffle mac & cheese, plus a range of steak sauces and butters such as truffle butter with cracked black pepper.
FREJA BONE BROTH SHAKE
Bone broth is the perfect Autumn ingredient, but what about with the added convenience of a Shake?? Freja has launched its innovative Bone Broth Shake, made with 100% natural, wholefood ingredients and available in four varieties: Raw Cacao, Vanilla Bean, Wild Strawberry, and Unflavoured. Each serving offers up to 23g of protein and 21g of collagen, combining the benefits of a protein shake, collagen supplement, and electrolyte powder. Gluten and dairy-free, the shakes are low-calorie, naturally sweetened, and can be enjoyed hot or cold. Since its 2020 launch, Freja has grown rapidly, becoming a top seller on Ocado with 1.3 million units sold.
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