UK kitchens may be multi-national affairs – a celebration of difference – yet when it comes to a much-loved staple, 84% of chefs say that the gravy they use has to be made right here in Britain.
The findings* come from Essential Cuisine and follow extensive independent chef and consumer testing, undertaken this August, of its British-made No.1 Gravy range.
The results were conclusive: Essential Cuisine’s three-strong gravy range came out on top against all competitor products in blind taste tests with 100 consumers and 50 chefs sourced independently from across hospitality. Upon questioning the chefs further, the findings were yet again categorical – when it comes to gravy, British made is definitely best.
The results also found that, when it comes to chefs, peer to peer recommendation is key, with 60% wanting a gravy that has been recommended by other chefs. Consumers are no less particular with findings uncovering that 70% would be put off from returning somewhere that served them sub-standard gravy**.
The comprehensive verdict, says Essential Cuisine Managing Director, Nigel Crane, lays bare the importance of getting it right.
“In the heat of kitchen life, it makes sense for brigades to save valuable time by using a bought-in gravy but it’s absolutely essential to not sacrifice quality and consistency for convenience and corner-cutting. Gravy is such a simple consideration but get it wrong and the results are conclusive, your customers will vote with their feet.
“Britain’s love affair with good gravy is well-documented but, the findings show that the link between chefs and British-made gravy is also strong. It stands to reason that those who take extra care in sourcing British meat and vegetables would give the same attention to as many of their ingredients as possible. Gravy is absolutely no different.”
Supplied powdered in 1.5kg tubs Essential Cuisine’s No.1 range, Beef, Chicken and vegetarian Savoury are gluten-free, with no declarable allergens^. Made in the Britain, they also meet DoH 2017 salt targets and make an average 20 litres of gravy per pot – one of the industry’s highest yields.
The comprehensive tests, held in August 2017, were undertaken by highly respected independent market research company, Good Sense Research with each gravy rated on the 9-point hedonic scale for sensory evaluation, against the key criteria of: appearance, aroma, taste, mouthfeel, aftertaste and overall enjoyment.
*Good Sense research on behalf of Essential Cuisine 2017 – made up of 100 consumers and 50 chefs
**Independent online research with 300 consumers, May 2017
^These products do not contain declarable allergens under the EU regulation 1169/2011 (Annex II).
For more information on the Essential Cuisine range call 01606 541490, email: [email protected] visit: www.essentialcuisine.com or find them on twitter: www.twitter.com/@essentialcuisin
