Sharpham Dairy Partners With Local Bakery to Launch Their New Crackers

Sharpham Dairy has been increasing its range of products over the last couple of years and has now developed its own crackers working with locally-based Fresh Flour Company from Buckfastleigh. They have been made to complement its growing range of artisan cheeses and chutneys.

The new crackers RRP £3.50 - Rosemary & Sea Salt, and Original Sourdough, will be launched along with two new chutneys - British Bramley apple and local Hunts Wobbler Cider Chutney, and Ploughman's Hunters Elmhirst Ale - at Dartmouth Food Festival on 21st to 23rd October. 

The new crackers are made with heritage wheats, local honey, Devon sea salt and with soft water from Dartmoor. 

Designed by Exeter based Buddy Creative to fit in with the Sharpham family of products, the entire packaging is recyclable, including the clear film bag, which can be compostable.

Full of rustic shards in all shapes and sizes, the new crackers are made with a thriving sourdough starter, adding naturally present good bacteria and a full, complex flavour to the cracker, literally made for cheese! (Sounds utterly delicious!)

Rosemary & Sea Salt Sourdough £3.50 offers an aromatic crunch with bursts of sea salt and pairs perfectly with soft cheeses. Whether they are an addition to the cheese board, crumbled over salads or dunked into hummus, these savoury bites are the perfect portable snack to enjoy throughout the day.

Original Sourdough £3.50 with nutty, earthy notes, the new sourdough crackers are robust enough to stand up to the strongest cheeses - and perfect to nibble on their own. 

Telling us about the new products, Sharpham Dairy's Nicky Parsons says: “Great cheeses need an excellent cracker to complete the bite, so we spent a long time refining the development of these two new products to perfectly complement our range of cheeses. 

"We were determined to collaborate with a local partner and Andy and the Fresh Flour Company have been brilliant to work with. It was really a labour of love! 

“As a B Corp business, we carefully audit all our suppliers to ensure they share our ethos. Fresh Flour Co was the perfect fit for producing our crackers. They pay their farmers fairly, who in turn invest fairly in the soil and biodiversity of the land. They're a lovely local team and also committed to making foods that taste great and benefit people and the planet, so it's been a real meeting of minds.”

Fresh Flour Co founder, Andrew Gilhespy says, “It's so important for us to remake our local food networks; economically, physiologically and psychologically. Teaming up with Sharpham is part of this need, but answers so many other things - high quality, business acumen and friendship.” 

Sharpham Cheese is the UK's first ever cheese dairy to be granted a B Corp certification and has just been named joint winners of the Sustainability Trophy at the Virtual Cheese Awards. Its selection of cheeses are handcrafted with South Devon milk from their own herd of Jersey cows, along with goats and ewe's milk from their West Country neighbours. For more information, visit them at  www.sharphamcheese.co.uk. You can check out the bakery here https://freshflour.co.uk.

We at That's Food and Drink believe that these crackers and Sharpham cheeses will be a major addition to your Christmas cheeseboard!

 

Sharpham Dairy Extends Its Chutney Range With Two New Flavours

Best known for their award-winning soft cheeses, Sharpham Dairy has now launched two new chutneys to extend its selection of ambient retail products.

Popular amongst farm shops and delis customers for their Sharpham Brie and Ticklemore, Sharpham Dairy launched two new chutneys - British Bramley Apple & Hunts Wobbler Cider Chutney, and Ploughman's Hunters Elmhirst Ale - at Dartmouth Food Festival on 21 October with a retail price of £4.50. They are the newest additions to the chutney range, which already includes Red Onion, Rosemary and Thyme Chutney, Caramelised Fig & Sharpham Pinot Noir Marmalade, and Smokey Red Pepper and Tomato Jam. 

Developed with Devon-based Highfield Preserves, who have been making artisan preserves since 1984, this versatile range of chutneys, which are vegetarian, have been designed to pair perfectly with cheese. They also pack a fruity punch for boosting flavour in dishes such as shepherd's pie and stuffing or packing on picnics to accompany cold meats.

British Bramley Apple & Hunts Wobbler Cider Chutney £4.50 - combined with ground spices, and sultanas it's slightly sharp, tangy and lightly spiced. Hunts medium sweet 'Wobbler' cider and tart Bramley apple pairs beautifully with rich, oozy Sharpham Camembert. Try dropping a spoonful on top, before baking until the topping is sticky and the centre is perfectly gooey.

Ploughman's Hunters Elmhirst Ale Chutney £4.50 - a traditional chutney with chunky veg, raisins, dates and a good measure of local ale from Hunters brewery. Naturally, perfectly paired with cheese, or with cold meats and pork pies. 

The couple who inspired the eponymous Hunters Brewery Elmhirst Ale and also Sharpham Elmhirst cheese, Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst, were pioneering entrepreneurs who founded the Dartington Hall Project nearly 100 years ago. As innovative thinkers, Dartington became a magnet for artists, architects, writers and philosophers and musicians from around the world who brought colour to South Devon. 

Hunters Elmhirst Ale has been commissioned exclusively for Dartington Cider Press at The Shops at Dartington. It's a rich, mellow traditional ale with a good depth of flavour.

Commenting to us on their new chutneys, Sharpham Dairy's Greg Parsons says, “We're delighted to extend our chutney range to perfectly accompany our soft cheeses. 

"We're proud people of Devon and we take every opportunity to showcase our wonderful produce, so it's been a real pleasure to work with Don and the team at Highfield, along with Hunts Cider and Hunters Brewery. This is a special launch that we hope will inspire others to collaborate.”

Don Fraser, who is the MD of Highfield Preserves says, “It's been a pleasure to work with Sharpham on developing their range of chutneys which pair so well with their cheeses. 

"We feel a great sense of pride working with a local company who is respected not only locally but nationally too. We love to support local companies, and our partnership with Sharpham works so well because they have a similar ethos to us in wanting to produce only the best quality products and showcasing local ingredients where possible.”

Sharpham Cheese is the UK's first ever cheese dairy to be granted a B Corp certification and has just been named joint winners of the Sustainability Trophy at the Virtual Cheese Awards. Its selection of cheeses are handcrafted with South Devon milk from their own herd of Jersey cows, along with goats and ewe's milk from their West Country neighbours. For more information, visit www.sharphamcheese.co.uk.

The range is available from sharphamcheese.co.uk, or through Country Cheeses, Quicke's Cheese Shop, Greendale Farm.

We at That's Food and Drink and That's Christmas believe that these products are ideal for your Christmas celebrations. 

 

Seven Retro Arcade Game Cocktails Launched by NQ64

From Mr. Stay Puft to Final Fantarita, NQ64 has put a new focus on nostalgic vibes with the launch of seven new retro arcade game-inspired cocktails, including two made with non-alcoholic ingredients.   

The new menu is modelled on game-themed cocktails, namely Ghost Busters, Super Monkey Ball, Mario, Final Fantasy, The Simpsons, Crash Bandicoot and Driver to be enjoyed while button bashing to victory with your mates.  

Highlights include Lake Springfield (Sour Apple Whiskey) developed by NQ64's bartender in Glasgow, and Mr. Stay Puft (Espresso Martini) which pays homage to the cutest, most delicious baddy of all time from Ghostbusters. 

 A large part of NQ64's team training focuses on developing their bartenders cocktail skills; always striving to develop and create the perfect drinks to accompany arcade games, their latest menu came about through an internal competition that took place at each of NQ64's 9 venues.  Bartenders were given the opportunity to create and develop their own game-inspired drinks before presenting them in the finals at NQ64 Birmingham. The cocktails presented at the competition led to the direction of NQ64's new menu, with the drinks selected having been created directly from the team. 

Their non-alcoholic cocktails to seek out are No Uka Uka and Driver Spritz. 

NQ64's enviable cocktails, craft beer and soft drinks are served in adult-only neon splattered drinking dens filled with retro arcade games and classic consoles. Their signature neon-filled aesthetic provides immersive arcade bar experiences, in its street style aesthetic that sees spray painted artwork cover the walls and ceiling that glow under UV lights.  

NQ64 has venues in Soho, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Liverpool. 

Cocktails inspired by the retro arcade games, which will be on offer at each of the venues include: 

Mr Stay Puft: NQ64's version of the Espresso Martini, Mr. Stay Puft has Tiny Rebel Stay Puft in it, so was only right that they commemorated the cutest, most delicious baddy of all time from Ghostbusters.

A Marshmallow Espresso Martini, with Vodka, Espresso, Marshmallow, Chocolate… based, of course, on the iconic Ghostbusters character.  

Super Coco Ball: Everyone loves cereal and videos games eh? Based off the game Super Monkey Ball, this is a Rum based drink with Brandy, Cacao, Banana, Hazelnut, Coco Pop milk blend

Mega Daisy: Based on the Mario series of games, Mega Daisy is what happens to princess Daisy when she eats a mushroom. Lychee and Elderflower Gin spritz with Aperol, Triple Sec, Elderflower, Lychee, Prosecco… based on Daisy from the Mario franchise

Final Fantarita: Based on Final Fantasy... Sour Cherry Margarita topped with Fanta 

Lake Springfield: Simpsons inspired! A Sour Apple Whiskey drink with JD Apple, Midori, Toxic Waste Cordial and Apple [Developed by bartender Robbie who is from Glasgow]

No Uka Uka (non-alcoholic): Non-alcoholic cocktail based on the game Crash Bandicoot. NQ64 already has the Aku Aku (the mask character in the Crash games) so it's only fitting to call this one Uka Uka (Aku Aku's twin brother, who's the total opposite)

Driver Spritz (non-alcoholic): An alcohol-free cocktail with Crodino, Candied Strawberry, Lemon and Soda (great for the designated driver!) based on the game Driver

James Taylor, who has the very enviable job of NQ64 Drinks Development and Training Manager, told That's Food and Drink: “At NQ64 we're always looking for inspiration when it comes to our venues, whether it's through finding new arcade games or developing our bar menus." 

He went on to say: "With drinks being such a huge part of the experience at NQ64, we always like to keep the menu fresh with new and exciting twists on game-inspired cocktails, using fun and unique ingredients that result in a delicious, but different taste.” 

As well as their new drinks menu, NQ64 will also be launching up to four new arcade games across each of their sites this November, adding even more entertainment to their already retro packed arcade bars.  

For Christmas, NQ64 are accepting Christmas party bookings from groups of any size, and drinks and token packages can be ordered in advance https://nq64.co.uk/christmas.

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Salcombe Brewery Co. Launches It's New Chocolate Stout, Maya

Salcombe Brewery Co. is launching Maya (ABV 4.5%), its brand new Chocolate Stout. It will be available from early this month (November) in cans (330ml x 12 for £25.00) from retail outlets, including the brewery shop and online for nationwide delivery from www.salcombebrewery.com.

Head Brewer, Sam Beaman, said: “We are really very excited about this latest addition to our small batch range. 

"For the ancient Maya people, the cacao bean was sacred. They were obsessed with its rich, chocolate taste and believed it was a gift from their gods. This was our inspiration for our new stout which we have infused with organic cacao nibs to add depth and complexity to the stout.”

Maya (4.5% ABV) is a Chocolate Stout, created by adding cacao nibs during the brewing process. The caramel and coffee notes from the malt blend perfectly with the rich chocolate flavour from the cacao nibs, resulting in a smooth chocolate stout. It's a dark, warming beer ideal for these colder autumn and winter nights. It pairs well with braised or spiced meats and rich autumnal stews, but is equally enjoyable on its own. 

Salcombe Brewery's range of beers is available nationwide in pubs and hospitality venues as well as retail outlets and online from www.salcombebrewery.com. It is available to the trade directly and through a number of key wholesalers. For further information on Salcombe Brewery Co. please visit www.salcombebrewery.com follow Salcombe Brewery Co. on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  

Maya will be available from early November, in cans (330ml x 12 for £25) from retail outlets, including the brewery shop and online for nationwide delivery from www.salcombebrewery.com.

That's Food and Drink believes that this is an ideal drink for the Christmas period, so do get some cans in for your Christmas festivities! 

Wow! More yummy goodness with a new Blueberry Yoghurt from Bonne Maman

Bonne Maman are introducing their new and utterly delicious new Blueberry yoghurt. 

Made only using utterly fresh whole milk, the creamy and smooth natural yoghurt is served on a delicious and utterly delectable layer of Bonne Maman Blueberry compote. Which is filled with flavour and crammed with lots of juicy, ripe blueberries.

It's a simple yet perfect choice for the start of the morning or as a light dessert or snack at any time of the day, the Bonne Maman range of deliciously fruity small pot yoghurts also includes aromatic Apricot, sweet yet tangy Rhubarb and mouth-watering Raspberry alongside new luscious Blueberry.

Bonne Maman Yoghurts are all created with simple, natural ingredients and are guaranteed to contain no artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners.  

Presented in a pack of 4 x 125g pots, the new Blueberry Yoghurt is available initially as an exclusive at Waitrose stores nationwide and via Ocado at a recommended price of £2.60p.   

Broader distribution will be available from early next year. 

It's suitable for vegetarians. Packaging can be widely recycled, too.

 

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How big brand collaboration can nurture sustainable trade of wild-harvested ingredients

The recently created WildCheck platform is already encouraging major brands to realise the benefits sustainable wild-harvested ingredients can have for local ecosystems and communities. 

TRAFFIC encourages others to follow and join forces with companies which are taking steps to ensure their supply chains have the best results for people and also the planet.

The use of wild-harvested plants in medicine, foods and cosmetics goes back many millennia. The demand is still growing, as the trade volume of medicinal and aromatic plant species has increased by 22% since 2000. 

As explored on the WildCheck platform and in the WildCheck report, through collaborative, non-competitive efforts, there are ecological and social opportunities to be gained for the environment and people who depend on harvesting these wild ingredients.

“The collaborative buy-in from end-market stakeholders is vital to adapt the competitive profit-oriented structure of wild plant sourcing in multiple industries,” explains Caitlin Schindler, TRAFFIC Plants Trade Programme Manager.

Encouragingly, big brands such as Twinings, the world-renowned tea company and the second largest UK supermarket chain, Sainsbury's, are already diving deeper into the sourcing of wild-harvested ingredients on their shelves, including using the WildCheck platform.

In a recent event attended by everyday brands from multiple industries, companies recognised how, as critical stakeholders in the wild plant supply chains, they have important roles to play and acknowledged that there are challenges to overcome in the sustainable sourcing of ingredients. 

Business representatives took the opportunity to highlight their ongoing or newly-formed sustainable sourcing activities and discussed non-competitive potential avenues to mitigate against overharvesting and mismanagement of wild species, plus dealing with potential safety concerns of harvest workers and exploitation of them.

Also attended by standard holding organisations, certification bodies and conservation NGOs, businesses were encouraged to form partnerships with other firms and organisations to help share costs and reduce duplication of efforts in addressing current knowledge gaps and action around wild plant ingredients.

“We're ready to help guide companies in making robust progress toward fairer, safer and sustainable wild product supply chains that ultimately work towards various UN Sustainable Development Goals for the environment and support the 1.2 billion people that rely on nature for their basic needs,” says Caitlin went on to explain.

To show unity and commitment to responsible sourcing of wild-harvested ingredients, the attendees were encouraged to sign the We Use Wild Pledge.

What is The Pledge? It's a voluntary, self-led initiative to increase awareness and responsible sourcing of wild-harvested plant ingredients and provides an action framework. 

While the Wild Dozen ingredients offer a starting point, thousands of other plant species used in the medicinal, foods and cosmetics industries need examining, also.

This event took place a few weeks ahead of the 19th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), where TRAFFIC experts will discuss the benefits of innovative approaches, like WildlCheck, to the management and sustainability of trade in CITES-listed medicinal and aromatic plants

Hernan Zunino, Social Impact Manager, Latin America at Twinings, said, “while having a stable demand for wild ingredients is decisive for the communities that collect them, we also have a responsibility to ensure there's a concrete, positive impact for the communities behind them. 

"Knowing exactly where and how our ingredients are produced and collected is a vital and essential part of that work, and any platform, database or group that can help us gain a better understanding brings us a step closer to the sustainable and transparent chain we envision.”

Mike Maunder, Executive Director of the Cambridge Conservation Initiative, said, “Cambridge Conservation Initiative is about bringing people together to collaboratively build answers to global conservation challenges. 

"This workshop arranged by TRAFFIC brings the CCI institutions together with the biggest brands to chart the opportunities for shifting the sourcing of wild plant products towards a sustainable and regenerative industry. TRAFFIC, one of CCI’s 10 partners, is a leader in wildlife trade and with particular expertise in wild plant products, exemplifies the skills of the CCI partners during this accelerating biodiversity crisis.”

WildCheck platform is part of TRAFFIC's Wild at Home Project and was built using information from the 2022 report WildCheck: Assessing risks and opportunities of trade in wild plant ingredients report.

WildCheck is an online knowledge and collaboration platform that offers objective insights and advice on sourcing wild ingredients to support business, investment, and policy scoping, as well as consumer education. WildCheck connects a broad set of partners in their commitment to responsibly-sourced wild ingredients through the We Use Wild Pledge.

Wild at Home Project: Using Markets for Wild Ingredients to Support Conservation and Rural Livelihoods https://www.traffic.org/what-we-do/projects-and-approaches/promoting-sustainable-trade/wild-at-home/.

TRAFFIC's Wild at Home project acknowledges the generous funding from the Swedish Postcode Foundation.

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