Sunday 16 October 2022

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Saturday 15 October 2022

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Friday 14 October 2022

Grana Padano: It's An Italian Feeling

Grana Padano, the world's most consumed cheese has launched its latest UK advertising campaign: “An Italian Feeling”, created by both an Academy Award winning film director and composer.

The TV advertisement was filmed in the historic locations of the Cistercian abbey of Chiaravalle, where the monks perfected the recipe in the Middle Ages, showcasing the region where Grana Padano is still produced and matured today.

The Oscar winners involved in its production were film director, Giuseppe Tornatore, winner of the Best Foreign Language film for Cinema Paradiso in 1990, and Ennio Morricone, composer of "Gabriel's Oboe” winner of Best Original Score for the 1986 film, The Mission.

"We wanted two standard-bearers of Italian values, icons of cinematographic art, to be entrusted with the visual and sound representation of Grana Padano,” comments Mr Stefano Berni, General Director of the Consortium. 

“They are both unique personalities, masters in terms of genius, professionalism and fame, capable of representing the values that are integral to the unique, Italian taste of our cheese.”

Renato Zaghini, who is the President of the Grana Padano Protection Consortium, launched the campaign with the stirring words: “Grana Padano PDO is a symbol of “made in Italy” and its unparalleled taste is the guardian of traditions, cultures and lifestyles that have made the world fall in love with it.”

“An Italian Feeling” will be aired from October on BBC NEWS, Euronews, Eurosport 1 and 2, ITV 1 Regional, Channel 4 and on Heart Radio and Capital FM.

The campaign will also reveal the new Grana Padano logo that will feature on future packaging. The logo, which had remained unchanged since 1954, has been redesigned to reflect a more modern style with its new font lettering.

Other changes to the packaging include the indication of the ageing (12, 14, 16, 18 months) and the introduction of the new category “Riserva - Over 24 Months”.

The updates have been made to provide the consumer with more information and greater transparency when it comes to purchasing a cheese that is a symbol of Italy, and whose characteristics of absolute excellence remain unchanged and faithful to the original recipe.

Did you know that in 2021, over 5.2 million wheels were made? Of which over 2.2 million were exported (that's almost 44%) (Actually, The married couple behind That's Food and Drink were a proud part of the consumption of Gran Padano. And we expect to be ordering some in for our Christmas cheese boards!)

You can check out the TV advertisement here: 

Visit: www.granapadano.it

Follow Grana Padano here:

Instagram: @granapadanopdo

FB: @GranaPadanoUK

#GranaPadano

More vegetarian options at M&S

M&S has launched an exciting range of vegetarian meals. It's called Veggie, in response to growing demand for increased vegetarian choices from customers.

The range includes a choice of 14 delicious vegetarian meals, developed by the retailer’s in-house chefs. Choices include Veggie Roasted Butternut Risotto (370g - £4) and Veggie Roasted Mushroom Ravioli (355g - £4).

Research from M&S shows vegetarians often feel overlooked – over 60% are unhappy with the number of vegetarian options in supermarkets and restaurants, while almost two-thirds said that there aren’t enough vegetables in restaurant and supermarket vegetarian meals currently available.

Sharry Cramond, who is a lifelong vegetarian and Director of Marketing & Hospitality at M&S, said: “Many vegetarians, myself included, know all too well how it feels to look at a restaurant menu or supermarket shelves, only to see a handful of meat-free options and rarely anything that celebrates vegetables."

She went on to say: "Our brand-new Veggie range more than meets that need and is the perfect solution for this overlooked group of foodies who want delicious, modern dishes packed with vegetables.

“From comforting mains for one to sharing centrepieces and all-important sides, this range is ideal for work lunches, midweek dinners, weekend entertaining and more! It’s all totally delicious and my favourite is the Veggie Cauli & Leek Open Pie. I literally can’t wait to make it part of my weekly shop – roll on dinner tonight!”

The launch comes as M&S’ plant-based Plant Kitchen range, suitable for vegans, has been growing in popularity. Plant Kitchen sales are up 23% YOY compared to 21/22, with bestsellers including the Hoisin No Duck Wrap (£3.75), Green Thai Curry and Jasmine Rice (£4.50) and Nutty Super Wholefood Salad (£3.50)

The retailer launched Plant Kitchen back in 2019, offering a selection of delicious dairy and meat-free lunch options, indulgent treats and meals – the range has since grown to over 200 products.

M&S has been encouraging its 30m customers to explore plant-based protein as part of its Sparking Change challenge, designed to help families make the food they eat greener, healthier and more affordable, including tips on storing vegetables properly and an all-important meal planner.


Vegetarian options for home or commercial cooking from OmniFoods!

After the launch by foodtech company OmniFoods on World’s Ocean Day (8 June) in 2021, OmniSeafood made its ground-breaking debut in the UK at wagamama for Veganuary. 

The dish featured award-winning Omni Golden Fillet (winner of the Monde Selection Silver Quality Award 2022), wowing customers with a plant-based twist on classic fish & chips. 

Recent collaborations include launching fish and chips featuring Omni Golden Fillet with award-winning fish and chips shop Sutton & Sons, and exclusively launching the Omni Ocean Burger with iconic plant-based fast food joint Oowee Vegan, giving away 600 free Ocean Burgers which were gone within six minutes. Now, OmniSeafood is finally available to cook with at home!

OmniSeafood is made from a special proprietary blend of non-GMO soy, and has indistinguishable taste and texture from real seafood. It contains 0mg cholesterol, is free from trans-fat, and has no added preservatives, hormones or antibiotics.

OmniSeafood retail packs including the golden-crusted Omni Golden Fillet, Omni Ocean Burger, and OmniCrab Cake have hit the shelves of Whole Foods Market in London, while Omni Golden Fillet is also listed online on Ocado. 

The full range, priced from £2.25, is also available at the Vegan Kind Supermarket, including Omni Golden Fillet, Omni Classic Fillet, Omni Ocean Burger, Omni Ocean Fingers, OmniCrab Cake, and OmniTuna.

But there's more! The OmniPork range includes three high-quality pork alternatives, Mince and Luncheon, both of which are Great Taste Award winners, and Strips which are currently available HERE and online. 

The three varieties allow chefs and home cooks to create an infinite variety of plant-based dishes which can be seasoned, steamed, pan- or deep-fried, stuffed or crumbled. 

Made using a proprietary blend of plant-based protein from non-GMO soy, peas, shiitake mushrooms and rice, OmniPork contains no cholesterol, and has less saturated fat and less calories compared to animal-based pork products.

Follow OmniFoods on social media @omnifoods.uk now to discover the Omni Way to ‘chip in’ to save our oceans and our planet.

For more information, please visit https://omnifoods.co.

That's Food and Drink thinks that the OmniFoods range will make excellent meat free alternatives for Christmas meals for vegetarians in your life.