
Blog
Discover all the latest industry and company news in our blogs.
Company news
Welsh chef student Josie Wheeler wins Student Pastry Chef of the Year at Hotel Café Royal
Student chef Josie Wheeler, from Coleg y Cymoedd in Nantgarw in South West Wales, held her nerve on a tense day on Tuesday to win the Student Pastry Chef of the Year 2022.
Spotlight on mental health
Henley Bridge is a proud partner of the Burnt Chef Project, a charity which was launched in 2019 working specifically to support and improve the mental health of people working in the hospitality sector.
New sales director joins Henley Bridge
Henley Bridge has appointed a sales director to help realise the company’s growth ambitions.
Finally! – a chance to exhibit and show off our new ranges
Over the last couple of years, we’ve introduced some really exciting product ranges but the Covid pandemic has restricted our opportunity to showcase them to a wider audience.
Tony Williams joins Henley Bridge
Tony joins Henley Bridge with over 20 years’ experience in the Food Service sector having previously worked for Cearns & Brown, Brakes and Creed.
Ice cream expert Mark Eastman joins Henley Bridge
Mark brings to over 10 years’ experience in the ice cream and food service sectors, working for the likes of Hancock’s, Fresh Direct and Beechdean Ice Cream amongst others.
Product news
Belcolade Cacao-Trace. A sustainable future for chocolate
As a nation, we’re all striving to ‘do our bit’ to make the world a better place. We’re taking personal action to live sustainably and making ethical choices by opting to buy products which make a positive difference.
Cacao with conscience
As the UK’s largest independent chocolate distributor, we know a thing or two about cacao, so when we were offered the exclusive opportunity to launch one of South America’s most exciting high-end chocolate product ranges, we literally went into meltdown with elation!
There’s no place like Home
Christmas has come early for home cooks and bakers with the launch of a revolutionary Sosa Home Gourmet range!
Let’s build a brighter vanilla world together with Norohy
We are delighted to introduce you to Norohy, organic non-split black vanilla pods, exclusive to Henley Bridge in the UK.
Good things come in small(er) pack sizes
That’s right, your favourite Pidy products are now available in smaller pack sizes!
Think cocoa, think deZaan
We’re pleased to launch the new deZaan range of cocoa powders for professionals!
New chocolate cups and décor
We are delighted to introduce two new suppliers to the Henley Bridge family, Confiletas, chocolate cups and Barbara Decor, chocolate décor.
Meet Banana Java
Banana Java is a new idea from gelato masters Rubicone. Inspired by Blue Java Bananas, known as “Ice Cream Bananas” because they have a creamy texture and flavour which is reminiscent of vanilla gelato
Meet Belcolade Amber
The chocolatiers at Belcolade are always beavering away on new ideas and their latest innovation is Amber – a white chocolate with a natural caramel flavour.
Chocolat Madagascar wins three Great Taste Awards
Chocolat Madagascar, the supplier of single origin Madagascan chocolate won big at this year’s Great Taste Awards, taking home not one but three awards!
Industry news
The case for premium
Alongside their mainline products, Pidy also offer a premium range ‘Selection by Pidy’ aimed specifically at high-end restaurants and hotels, where luxury is an absolute priority.
Gelato and ice cream flavour trend predictions for 2021
Whilst you might feel confident that you know the likes and dislikes of your customer base, it’s always a good idea to research your market, as well as your competition, to see what’s trending and how you can adapt those trends onto your menus.
Whipping up profits with soft serve gelato
The appetite for ‘soft serve’ gelato in the UK is definitely on the rise, having enjoyed huge success in Europe as well as in the US, for many years.
Take it away
The food delivery market has experienced huge growth over the last three years, and this impressive rise has been accelerated further during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Cocktail and drinking trends for 2021
By Luca Cordiglieri, of the UK Bartenders Guild. The Covid-19 pandemic that hit us this year has changed consumers’ drinking habits and will have a big influence on how and what we drink in the coming year…
A little bit of everything View all
Jubilee chocolates that are fit for a Queen
With the nation in a Platinum Jubilee frenzy, what better way to celebrate 70 years on the throne than with these handmade, regal-themed chocolates?
Flying the flag for the Queen
The nation will be in full patriotic spirit at the beginning of next month as HRH Queen Elizabeth celebrates an unprecedented 70 years on the throne.
A truly British flavour for the student pastry chef of the year finals
England, Wales & Scotland are all represented in the finalists of the Student Pastry Chef of the Year competition. The eight students who made it past the judges and into the final will compete against each other at The Hotel Café Royal on Tuesday 10th May.
Shapeshifters
Soft serve ice cream has come a long way since it was invented in the 1930s when a simple swirl was the only serving option.
Make it a mono
Mono-portions, or mini desserts, are very much on trend and with good reason. Rising obesity rates and an increased focus on healthy eating has prompted chefs and consumers alike to re-evaluate portion sizes, particularly when it comes to calorie-intensive treats.
Have yourself a very vegan Christmas
There are currently 1.5 million people in the UK following a vegan diet, according to research by Finder and it’s a rapidly increasing customer base that cannot be ignored.
It’s a small world
Street food trends and alfresco dining are going to soar this Christmas and into 2022 as we continue to emerge out of the pandemic.
Brewing up perfection
Tea is the perfect winter warmer, the go-to daily refreshment for 84% of UK consumers.
Cool cakesicles
Essentially a cake on a stick encased in a chocolate coating, these fun sweet treats provide the perfect blank canvas for you to put your stamp on.
Turning over a new leaf after lockdown
The Covid-19 pandemic has raised awareness of the need to follow a healthy lifestyle in order to help protect ourselves from the virus and, as we emerge out of lockdown, the focus on good nutrition and hydration will be ever-present.
Ice cream that’s full of beans
Coffee and gelato are a winning double act, either served side by side as a pairing – or combined to make coffee-flavoured ice cream.
Getting frothy with latte art
There’s no way around it, great latte art takes practice. It’s one of the biggest causes of frustration for would-be baristas, but, once you’ve cracked it, the results will delight your customers.
Shake your thang!
Fancy ‘shaking’ up your drinks menu? Then, milkshakes might be worth considering. They’re ‘whipping’ up a frenzy on social media at the moment with a plethora of weird and wonderful creations.