Foodservice



Promoting the Potato to Caterers

The Great Potato Challenge 2009 is back!

Increasing potato usage in the foodservice sector has been a long-term objective for Potato Council, demonstrating to chefs the versatility and profit potential available from potatoes. At a time when pubs and restaurants are being increasingly challenged by rising food costs, never has this been more important.

Potato Council is stepping up its awareness campaign amongst student chefs once again with the return of its Great Potato Challenge 2009.

The competition is designed to inspire young chefs to create an imaginitive potato-based main course meal to liven up a pub or restaurant menu, as well as think about the important role potatoes play in foodservice. What's more, it also encourages student chefs to demonstrate their understanding of the different varieties of potato and the cooking methods that best suit them - building their knowledge for the future.

Entry forms for the competition are downloadable from http://www.potatoesforcaterers.co.uk/ or to download it directly click here

To help you access the foodservice market the Potato Coucil has produced two factsheets.

Factsheet 1: The foodservice market - an opportunity

The Potato Council commissioned 2 pieces of research into the foodservice market looking at chef and consumer attitudes to potatoes. This factsheet presents the results of the research and looks at opportunities for your business within the market. Download Now

Factsheet 2: Sustainable procurement - a real opportunity

The Government's Sustainable Procurement Vision gives potato farmers a huge opportunity to be a player in a vibrant economy, which has a minimal environmental and economic footprint. This factsheet gives you, the potato farmer, tips on what you can do to have a better opportunity to sell to schools, hospitals and other public sector bodies on factors other than price. Download now

Caterer's Website: http://www.potatoesforcaterers.co.uk/

The site provides a fantastic resource for caterers with advice on the best ways to handle, cook and store different potatoes as well as innovative recipe ideas. There is an opportunity for levy payers to be featured on the industry links page, which means they can promote their products to the catering industry.

The following resources for caterers are downloadable from:

http://www.potatoesforcaterers.co.uk/

  • Spuds Rule OK - advice for Caterers on how potatoes can help meet Nutritional Guidelines for School Meals.
  • 10 New Potato Recipes - offers ten potato-based recipes approved by the British Nutrition Foundation, which can be used as part of a day-to-day meal service or as the central focus of a themed “Potato Day”.
  • Setting up a jacket potato bar publication for secondary schools - is full of ideas to encourage secondary schools to take up a lunchtime meal, while inspiring caterers to try new recipes and potato varieties.
  • Potato Day pack - is full of ideas to help primary schools hold a themed Potato Day.
  • Definitive Guide for Potatoes - has been produced to provide caterers with everything they need to know about potatoes in one comprehensive volume.

If you have any questions about foodservice please contact Ellie King on 02476 692051 or email eking@potato.org.uk