November Customer Newsletter – Food
November and December Promotions
This November, we are excited to offer you some great promotions from Bridge Valley, Harrogate, Heinz, Knorr, Millac Gold, Nestlé and Pladis. Please, find out about our December promotions from Pladis, Heinz, Walkers, Unilever, SPL and Silver Spoon.
See our Downloads ▼ section for more details on November and December promotions. You’ll also find our Market Movers information, showing key price changes or inflation details for essential categories – milk, cheese, fish and more – as well as the latest industry news.
NHS England – Chef of the Year 2024
Last month, we celebrated another incredible year of NHS England (NHSE) Chef of the Year. The event empowers chefs, elevates the status, and pushes the boundaries of hospital food, all whilst spotlighting the profound and gratifying impact of NHS chef careers.
Our Culinary team participated throughout, with Michael Sharp offering key support and advice throughout the event and Leanne Turk offering invaluable mentorship and Nick Vadis, our Culinary Ambassador as judge, offering inspirational guidance and feedback, a testament to the collaborative excellence in partnership with NHSE.
A huge congratulations to all those that took part and for your hard work and dedication. The Winning Trust for 2024 is Royal Surrey Hospital. A big well done to Alejandro and Manuela who displayed great culinary skills, securing first place position, you are a credit to the Trust.
I am absolutely thrilled for Manuela and Alejandro that they have won NHS Chef of the Year. They are the most fantastic example of great teamwork and people who care passionately about what they do, providing great food day in day out at the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust. I am so proud of them and delighted that they have received this wonderful recognition.
Phil Shelley, Senior Operational Manager, NHS England
Men’s Health – International Men’s Day 19 November 2024
International Men’s Day celebrates the positive value men bring to the world, with the theme for this year being ‘positive male role models’.
We would therefore like to recognise some of our positive male role models.
Michael Sharp, Culinary Specialist – for supporting the development of the next generation of NHS chefs through mentoring. Michael sees this as a huge honour and enjoys seeing the teams grow and show a level of confidence, they should all be proud of. Michael plays a key part at our chef and skill academies where he mentors the attendees..
Dan Fleming, Business Development – Dan cycled from London to Paris in 24 hours this year to raise funds to support the charity Duchenne. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disease that affects limb muscles in boys and causes progressive weakness and disability.
Apple, Pear and Date Muffins
We’ve asked our Culinary Specialist, Millie Morgan to share her favourite seasonal recipe to help inspire you, with lots of fruit, spices and goodness. The apple pear and date muffins from our Cakes and Bakes Culinary Concept is perfect for cold autumn mornings.
Coming into the winter months, this muffin recipe is a great treat bursting with winter and Christmassy flavours, smelling delicious and great to eat whilst still warm from the oven.
Millie Morgan, Culinary Specialist, NHS Supply Chain
Discover our apple, pear and date muffins
Recipe method
- Preheat the oven to 170C.
- Peel and dice the apples and pears into one half centimetre pieces and place in a baking tray.
- Sprinkle the light brown sugar and corn flour on top and roast in at 170C for 25 minutes. Reserve.
- Melt the butter in a pan or microwave.
- Chop and soak the dates in warm water.
- In a kitchen aid with the paddle attachment whip the butter with caster sugar.
- Drain the dates and add to the butter and sugar mix.
- Add eggs, milk and mix well.
- Sieve the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt together.
- Fold into the mix.
- Pipe 70g of the muffin mix into muffin cases, place a full spoon of the roasted apples and pears on top.
- Bake it at 170C for about 20 minutes.
| Recipe Ingredients | Quantity |
| Unsalted butter | 75g |
| Self raising flour | 250g |
| Baking powder | 2g |
| Bicarbonate of soda | 1g |
| Cooking salt | 1g |
| Caster sugar | 90g |
| Eggs – medium | 116g |
| Whole milk | 125g |
| Dates | 90g |
| Ground cinnamon | 1g |
| Ground nutmeg | 1g |
| Cornflour | 1g |
| Granny Smith apples | 100g |
| Conference pears | 100g |
| Demerara sugar | 30g |
Top tip – steep your peelings in boiling water, with cinnamon sticks, winter spices and honey to make a mulled Christmas drink.
Christmas 2024 – Get Your Christmas Lists Ready!
Christmas is fast approaching.
Whether it’s traditional holiday meals or seasonal treats, we encourage you to place your orders for the festivities.
We’re here to help you create a joyful experience for your patients, staff and visitors.
Please get in touch with your local Food Account Manager for more information on how to place your order.
Food Team
Download our publications ▼
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Monthly Savings Promotions November 2024
Download the PDF here
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Monthly Savings Promotions December 2024
Download the PDF here -
Market Movers October 2024
Download the PDF here