Finney’s in Anglesey, Wales, has partnered with Middleton Foods to create a bespoke gluten free curry sauce, tailored specifically for its menu
Carol and Mike Hulme opened Finney’s in Benllech in 2009, followed by a second store in Amlwch in 2019. In 2016, the pair dedicated their Benllech takeaway to frying gluten free fish and chips. Since then, it has gradually built up its gluten free offering and now 85% of the dishes on the menu can be enjoyed by coeliacs.
The gluten free menu extends to sausages, burgers, southern fried chicken and, until the start of this summer, two types of curry sauce. Carol explains: “We’ve always sold two types of curry sauce – a fruity one and a spicy one – and they were both really popular. But we were looking at how we could reduce some of the stock we were holding without removing too much from the menu, firstly, because it frees up space and, secondly, because it reduces questions at the till. Do you want sweet or spicy? Small or large? It was slowing us down.”
Already buying a bespoke gluten free batter from Middleton Foods, it was a natural step for Carol to approach them to create a Finney’s curry sauce that encapsulated everything customers liked about its two products into one.
“Middleton’s were great to work with,” says Carol. “They really are the experts in creating bespoke products. They listened to what we wanted and it took just a couple of samples before we hit on the perfect one, which is a mix of spicy and fruity with some special extra ingredients that we added into it.”
Careful not to alienate customers, the team tested their new curry sauce first, gaining the approval they needed: “It was a big step because we were changing two items into one and both were popular,” says Carol. “Especially in peak season, customers came here because they liked the fruity sauce or the spicy sauce. We did a lot of taste testing on different people, especially those that went for the fruity curry sauce and they all agreed, although there is a hint of spice in it, it’s not overpowering. It hits you, but then it mellows out.”
Encouraging customers to try Finney’s curry sauce by offering a free chip and dip before buying, Carol says it now flies out. From ordering their first pallet at the start of the holiday, it was just five weeks later that another pallet was needed.
Available in 4oz and 6oz sizes, Finney’s curry sauce provides the takeaway with an additional unique selling point while driving profits. Carol adds: “Our Finney’s curry sauce has a great margin, and selling more of these higher-margin products really makes a difference, especially with the rising cost of cod and potatoes lately.”
Middleton Food Products 01902 608122 www.middletonfoods.com
