Middleton Food Products has been a valuable partner to Catch in Porthleven, Cornwall, offering essential guidance and supplying a range of products that have enhanced its menu
Catch has just wrapped up its second successful summer season, having opened its doors 14 months ago.
Serving locally sourced, seasonal produce from Cornwall and the surrounding areas, the takeaway offers an innovative selection of dishes, from fish tacos, scotch eggs and seafood baskets to pasties, pies and fish baps.
Owned by Barry and Naomi Clark, who have been successful restaurateurs for over 20 years, and with their trusted right-hand man of 14 years, Ryan ‘Boris’ Jennings, behind the range, it became clear in the early days that cooking fish and chips on a large scale was a whole new challenge compared to their previous experiences.
“An industry we thought we knew a lot about, we really didn’t and it was a game changer meeting Middletons,” says Ryan. “Our first conversation was, What do you boys know about fish and chips? We said, Not a lot. And they said, Perfect, we’ll help you.”
From observing the batter-making process at Middleton’s factory in Willenhall, West Midlands, to testing various mixes at their shop, the pair gained valuable insights into the trade. They also discovered the perfect batter for them: King’s Heritage Blend 30.
“It’s a really light batter with a nice golden colour, great flavour and it’s got those nice sharp edges which makes it look crisp even before it’s in your mouth,” says Ryan. “And it holds itself under the lights whilst you might be waiting for five minutes for it to be boxed up.”
As chefs, the pair were naturally tempted to experiment with the batter mix, but both soon realised they couldn’t improve on it.“You can’t perfect something that is perfected,” adds Ryan.
An item guaranteed to sell out the minute it hits the menu is Catch’s signature BFC, otherwise known as the Boris fried chicken burger. “We use Middletons Rooster Chicken Breader, which gives a real crisp,” says Ryan. “Most places use a buttermilk or something to soak the chicken in and get the coating to stick to it. We don’t, we use the Blend 30 again. I water it down a little so it’s lighter, and use that. You’re getting that crisp King’s Heritage mixed in with that Roosters for a crisp coating of perfection.”
Another area the duo have let their creativity play out is with its curry gravy, a combination of Middletons gravy and curry sauce mixes. “It works really well,” says Ryan. “It’s got a little bit of bit of warmth but with that lovely gravy flavour.”
Also contributing to the takeaway’s growing popularity is Catch’s gluten free menu, much of which utilises Middletons Gluten Free Batter. Ryan adds: “Middletons’ products have helped put Catch on the map, especially the gluten free batter mix. That was a market we didn’t think about until speaking with them. By having that, we are the only chip shop in Porthleven that does gluten free, so they have really upped our market by going, ‘we’ve got a product, and you can sell it’.
“They are an inspiration for businesses, I will give them that. They are very people-friendly and they want you to make money.”
Middleton Food Products 01902 608122 www.middletonfoods.com
