Latest news with #YorkshirePuddings
Agriland
15-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Greencore reports ‘strong' H1 results as deal agreed for Bakkavor
Convenience food manufacturer, Greencore has reported a 50% increase in group operating profit to £38.1 million in the six months to March 28. The group has also today (Thursday, May 15) confirmed the terms for a recommended acquisition of food maker Bakkavor have been agreed in a deal worth around £1.2 billion. Greencore, which has its headquarters in Dublin, said that half year (H1) revenue increased by 6.5% to £922 million. This was driven by net new business wins impact of 2.9%, underlying volume and mix of 1% and the positive impact of inflation recovery and price of 2.6%. Profit before tax was £26.7 million in H1 25, up 81.6% compared to £14.7 million in the same period a year previously. Greencore Revenue in 'Food to Go' categories totalled £611.4 million and accounted for approximately 66% of reported revenue. This represented an increase of 5.6% in 'Food to Go' revenue compared to H1 24. The group's 'Other Convenience' categories comprise activities in the chilled ready meals, chilled soups and sauces, chilled quiche, ambient sauces and pickles, and frozen Yorkshire Puddings. Reported revenue across these categories increased by 8.1% to £310.6 million in H1 25. Greencore said there was a continued focus on product innovation in the period, with 270 new products launched. Dalton Philips, Greencore chief executive Commenting on the financial results, Dalton Philips, Greencore chief executive officer, said that the company made excellent progress in the first half of the financial year. 'By continuing to strengthen our core business, we've accelerated our financial performance – enhancing returns, improving margins and driving growth ahead of the market. We have built strong momentum and remain committed to continued delivery. 'Our strong first half performance was enabled by continued growth with customers, innovative new products and disciplined cost management, including through operational excellence and automation,' he said. 'While we are mindful of a challenging market environment, and with our seasonally stronger second half still ahead of us, we now expect adjusted operating profit for FY25 to be ahead of previous guidance, in the range of £114-117 million,' Philips added. Bakkavor Greencore said that the deal with Bakkavor would create a leading UK convenience food business with a combined revenue of around £4 billion and having approximately 30,500 employees. The boards of Greencore and Bakkavor believe that a combination will 'drive significant benefits for customers and colleagues of both companies and will make a significant continuing contribution to the UK economy'. Dalton Philips said that 'the combination of Greencore and Bakkavor is an unrivalled opportunity to create a true UK national food champion with an even greater breadth of category range and deeper customer relationships'. 'We are bringing together two experienced teams and our complementary portfolios will drive benefits for customers and consumers across the UK. 'The combined group will be able to invest more in innovation and product development ensuring we can provide the consumer with greater food choices at more points in the day, bringing together Greencore's 'food for now' expertise with Bakkavor's 'food for later' portfolio,' the Greencore chief executive added. Mike Edwards, chief executive officer of Bakkavor, said that 'combining with Greencore would bring together two businesses with the best people in the industry allowing us to take a 'best of both approach' to drive performance on every level'. 'The combined business will create more opportunities for colleagues, allow us to do an even better job for customers, and be even more resilient. 'I am confident that the relentless focus that both businesses have on quality, service and innovation, and on striving to be a great place to work, will remain at the heart of the bigger business,' he said.
Wales Online
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Tom Kerridge brands Jordan North a 'wrong'un' after controversial food confession
Tom Kerridge brands Jordan North a 'wrong'un' after controversial food confession Great British Menu star Tom Kerridge was left horrified by a culinary admission of Jordan's that emerged during a recent episode of the Proper Tasty podcast with Chris Stark Tom was left flabbergasted by Jordan's culinary admission (Image:for Montblanc ) Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge was left aghast upon learning of Jordan North's peculiar condiment preferences on a recent episode of the Proper Tasty podcast. The Great British Menu star was joined by co-host Chris Stark and Capital Breakfast presenter Jordan, who left Tom flabbergasted with a culinary admission. Jordan, the 35-year-old radio presenter, made the shocking revelation that he liked to pair a beloved British sauce with what Tom considered to be all the wrong meats. As part of the conversation, Tom pressed Jordan to identify the sauce typically associated with lamb. Chris chimed in to remind everyone of a previous controversy sparked by the podcast, which led to a stir on social media platforms. Tom was joined by co-host Chris Stark and Capital Breakfast presenter Jordan (Image: ITV ) Chris reminisced: "This is so easy. On a podcast not too long ago, you claimed that Yorkshire Puddings can only go with beef, and it popped off on the socials." Article continues below Jordan then gave them the correct answer, mint sauce, to which Tom replied: "If you're going to tell me you're gonna do mint sauce with chicken, mate, you are a wrong'un." Chris, interjecting, mentioned he uses mint sauce with "anything", and Jordan confessed his penchant for adding it to various roast dinners, much to Tom's consternation. Jordan said: "I do as well. Any roast dinner because with peas and a bit of gravy, I..." Tom couldn't conceal his bewilderment and interrupted: "You can't put mint sauce with a chicken; what's wrong with you?". To add to the controversy, Jordan also mentioned that he enjoys it with beef, and sometimes, his mum even adds the sauce directly into the gravy before serving. Tom asked Jordan to name the sauce traditionally served with lamb (Image: Jed Cullen/) In related culinary news, Michelin-starred chef Tom recently shared his expertise on making triple-cooked chips at home, a dish for which he's become well-known. On Instagram, he emphasised the importance of choosing the right type of potato. Tom explained: "It's very, very difficult for triple-cooked chips because what you're trying to do is trying to find the ones with the right starch and sugar content." He went on to describe how the choice of potato impacts the final result, noting that summer potatoes are not ideal due to their high sugar levels, which causes them to brown more quickly. Tom advised against using supermarket baking potatoes because of their moisture content. He suggested: "So you want, kind of like, from a farmer's market or a fresh potato you want a white one, not a red one. Article continues below "Red ones are normally too floury. And maybe something like a Yukon Gold is very good. I mean, if Maris Pipers aren't available, you want to try and find yourself a white potato that's fairly, like from a farmer's market, it's dirty, like a proper spud."
