How best to maximise Curry Week 2018!

After the first National curry week, taking place in 1998 was founded, it was clear the celebration was here to stay. This year more and more retailers from large retailers to small will be putting a focus on all things curry to maximise sales during and in the build-up of the national event! The UK’s love of Curry is stronger than ever, and National curry week continues to grow in importance every year. Although starting with a love for curries from India, it has grown into an appreciation of curries from the whole of South-East Asia.

So where should a retailer begin?

With India of course! The UK’s love for curries started with the love of India’s rich and flavourful curries. Create a feast for the eyes, and ease for your customer, with Soul’s Microwavable pouches of authentic Punjabi Choley and Tadka Dal. After receiving a Gold Star at last year’s Great Taste Awards, Soul’s authenticity is backed with recognition of good flavour!

After selecting some key Indian products where to look next? With millennials driving the growth in the world food category we must look at what they are looking for, these shoppers continue to look for new flavours, are more adventurous, and look for more authentic foodie experiences. Empire Bespoke Foods is lucky to be able to represent many Gold star winners awarded by The Great Taste Awards. Highlighting the need for more Great Tasting products in the world foods category.

First stop is Thailand! Thai food’s popularity is growing and is the second favourite oriental cuisine after Chinese, with over 39% of the UK population trying Thai food! Thai Cuisine is also growing during to tourism with over 1 million Briton’s traveling to Thailand this year alone. Thailand is also investing heavily into its food tourism with the tourism agency commissioning the Michelin star rating into Bangkok and surrounding areas. Thai cuisine is famous for blending sweet, salty, spicy, sour flavours into one balanced dish making it accessible and customisable to each consumer!

Head over to our Thai Taste for our comprehensive range that can suit any level of cook from a novice to a professional! Thai Cuisine also lends itself well to different dietary requirements with most of the range being vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free. This year Thai Taste launched a new Thai Yellow Curry meal kit into its current range of meal kits to suit the ever-growing need for authentic meals created in a shorter amount of time. Also adding innovation to the entire world food category is Thai Taste’s Vegetarian “fish” Sauce that is made from seaweed, making Thai and many other Asian cuisines more accessible and flavourful to more consumers!

South-East Asian flavours are also coming out of Vietnam and Malaysia with iconic dishes from this region becoming more popular due to restaurant menus, own-label offerings, holidays and more; Nasi Goreng, laksa curry and Kicap Manis from Malaysia and Pho, Spring rolls and dipping sauce from Vietnam.

Independent retailers can benefit from a diverse range of world flavours that have been merchandised together in a way that compliments each brand. Make sure your commodity/everyday products like rice noodles, coconut milk, fish sauce, etc are in easy reach with more distinct flavours like Thai or Malaysian curry pastes.

Finally, a must this year is the classic Japanese Katsu Curry. Japanese food has been on the rise and is the country’s third most popular cuisine. Japanese popularity has also grown from just Sushi and Sashimi into a full and diverse cuisine including curries, drinks and more. Have a look at our S&B range for easy to use Katsu Curry blocks and Japanese condiments including Wasabi, Yuzu and Nanami.

Sources

Wingyip, The Oriental Food Report, www.wingyip.com

The Caterer, Asian Food Booming in UK as Sector Grows,  www.thecaterer.com/articles/364864/asian-food-booming-in-uk-as-sector-grows

Awareness Days, www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/national-curry-week-2018

Posted by: Edward R

Category: Empire Bespoke Foods