If a little bit of what you fancy does you good, a quest to check out the enticing displays of Food Inc Grocery should be a daily pilgrimage. Marmalades and preserves, olive oils and vinegars, finely flavoured cheese biscuits and chutneys – everyday staples are as gorgeously presented and carefully sourced as luxury items and confectionery in this cornucopia of gourmet opportunities.
Food, glorious food...
 If you are passionate about food, you’ll envy Lindsey Butler her job.
The grocery buyer for Food Inc, Whiteleys, has played an integral part in selecting, tasting, fine-tuning and displaying the 200-plus products that make up the alluring Food Inc private label range: Wild Blueberry Preserve, Fresh Lemon Curd, Lavendar Honey, Balsamic Apple and Fig Chutney, Lemon Infused Olive Oil, Teas, and so on.
When she describes the “warm, peppery finish” of the Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil - produced from the Molise, Central Italy, near the fishing village of Termoli, using ecological methods to blend a combination of olives and produce a light, clear green olive oil with grassy undertones – you know you can’t live another day without trying it.
With seven years experience at Fortnum and Mason, with a head buying role in Grocery, Tea, Coffee, Chocolate & Confectionery, Lindsey certainly knows her onions.
Larder cupboard staples are the cornerstone of everyone’s kitchen, and of the stunning Food Inc Grocery installation. From everyday staples to specialist gourmet produce, the collection of goods is vibrant, tantalising and impeccably ordered. Who needs a window display when you have shelves like that?!
Here, Lindsey gives a virtual tour of her domain. Over the next few months, she will be sharing the delights of the range. This month she’s picked out the private label highlights:
The great thing about the layout of the four-sided grocery section is that, unlike a supermarket or traditional grocery floor, you can enter at any corner and wander around on a voyage of discovery. Today, Lindsey starts the tour at the breakfast cereal, preserves wall. And we’re off…
Preserves, £2.50 for a 340g jar.
“The fruits used in our preserves, marmalades and curd are mostly grown and picked in Essex,” she explains.
“The fruits are picked straight from the field or orchard, and are used immediately, which makes all the difference in the fuller, fresher flavour. Seasonal crops can be affected by fluctuating weather, as in the case of the Greengage preserve, the Early Rivers Plum preserve and the Blood Orange Marmalade. Unfortunately, these are currently out of stock until the next season, which will hopefully produce an abundant and healthy crop.”
On the shelves and counters, there is Gooseberry, Strawberry (“a classic, using only the best strawberries picked in season”), Morello Cherry, Wild Blueberry (“wild blueberries are used to give a stronger, less sweet preserve”), Raspberry, Early Rivers Plum (“the local plum, only grown on the farm”) and Greengage.
Marmalades, £2.50 for a 340g jar.
The range includes a choice of three with thick cut Seville Orange, medium cut Pink Grapefruit, and medium cut Blood Orange.
“The Seville Oranges are picked during season in Seville and sent straight to the producer, where they are turned into the fresh Seville Orange Marmalade. You can still taste the sunshine!,” says Lindsey.
Fresh Lemon Curd, £2.50 for a 310g jar.
Fresh lemons, eggs and dairy butter are used to produce this creamy spread, which must be refrigerated once opened and consumed within 3 weeks.
Honey, £3.75 for a 340g jar.
Orange Blossom – “amber in colour, full bodied with a strong floral aroma – almost like you are sitting in an orange grove”.
Lavender – “clear golden in colour, with the wonderful aroma of lavender”.
Moving on to oils, vinegars and chutneys… we have:
Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, £13.50 for 500ml.
“This is really special,” says Lindsey. “It is produced from the Molise, Central Italy, near the fishing village of Termoli. Ecological methods are used to blend a combination of olives which produce this light, clear green olive oil with grassy undertones, with a warm, peppery finish. It’s exceptional, as, in a distinctly different way, is…
Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil, £8.50 for 375ml.
“Produced from the first cold pressing of organic hand-picked Arbequina Olives from Catalonia, Spain, this olive oil is smooth, earthy, with incredible almond flavours.”
Lemon Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil, £9.95 for 250ml.
Selected estate olives are milled together with organic lemons to produce this fresh lemon oil. “It compliments fish, and also goes exceptionally well with fresh asparagus.”
8 Year Balsamic Vinegar, £10.50 for 250ml.
Absolutely delicious, this Balsamic Vinegar has been produced in the attics of the producer’s home, overlooking the square of Castelvetro, near Modena. Made with cooked wine must from grapes harvested in the Emilia Romagna region and acetified wine must matured and aged in casks, which provides a great balance and depth of flavour.
Vinaigre de Vin Vieux, £8.00 for 250ml.
Aged in oak to produce a full, rich flavour. “Perfect for meat marinades”.
Vinaigre de Reims, £8.00 for 250ml.
Distilled to bring out the flavour of Champagne, this vinegar is particularly suited for glazing meats and poultry. Hot tip: “Combine with walnut oil to produce a fragrant salad dressing.”
Olives, £3.95, Pitted Olives £4.25 - for 230g.
Basil and Garlic Olives – Marinated in extra virgin olive oil with herbs de Provence.
Mixed Olives – Marinated in extra virgin olive oil with chilli, garlic and pepper.
Pitted Green Olives – Marinated in extra virgin olive oil with herbs de Provence.
Pitted Kalamata Olives – Marinated in extra virgin olive oil with herbs de Provence.
Hot tip! Once you’ve eaten the olives, keep the oil to cook with or add to dressings. The Mixed Olive marinade oil, for instance, is delicious to sizzle tuna steaks in.
Chutneys and Relishes, £3.25
“Our chutneys have been made using as much fruit and vegetables as possible to provide a really full and rich condiment. You won’t find any added artificial ingredients or sugar – all the sweetness comes naturally from the fruit,” says Lindsey, who clearly had a lot of fun sampling and shaping the ingredients of the different flavours.
Piccalilli 250g – a crunchy blend of cauliflower, silverskin onions and gherkins, Dijon mustard and mild spices, this is the traditional pickle to accompany strong cheddar and cold meats.
Smokey Tomato Relish 280g – a perfect accompaniment to burgers and pies.
Spiced Pear and Date Chutney 280g – delicious with cheese.
Apricot and Ginger Relish 280g – the flavoursome blend of fresh apricots with the gentle heat of ginger makes this the perfect glaze for chicken or lamb.
Roasted Red Pepper Relish 260g – a versatile relish.
Plum Chutney 280g – an exceptionally fruity chutney that partners well with cheeses and tastes great in sandwiches.
Balsamic Apple and Fig Chutney 280g – a delicious sweet/sour addition to cheese and biscuits.
Dressings, £3.95 for 250ml.
Classic French Dressing – a dressing made with extra virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar and herbs de Provence. The ultimate fresh salad dressing.
Balsamic and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Dressing – a dressing made with balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and garlic. A perfect marinade for meats, or simply enjoy as a dip for fresh bread.
Honey and Wholegrain Mustard Dressing – a dressing made with honey, wholegrain mustard and extra virgin olive oil. Fantastic as a marinade, especially with chicken, or use as a delicious salad dressing.
Pasta Sauces, 180g
Sugo Antico, £3.75 – Tomato and Basil Pasta Sauce. “Use as bruschetta topping.”
Sugo all’Arrabbiata, £4.25 – Tomato and Chilli Pasta Sauce
Sugo Gustoso, £4.95 – Black Olive and Sundried Tomato Sauce
Sugo ai Capers, £3.95 – Tomato and Caper Sauce
Pesto alla Genovese, £5.25 – “Made using fresh basil from Liguria, use as an addition to pasta or as a dip for king prawns. Add a spoonful on a freshly seared tuna steak.”
Pesto in Salsa, £5.50 – Sundried Tomato Pesto. “The aromatic basil and sundried tomatoes combine to produce this wonderful pasta addition.”
Italian Biscuits
Cantucci, £5.95 for 250g – the Tuscan almond biscotti. Ideal to be served and dipped into a glass of Vinsanto wine at the end of a meal.
Amaretti, £7.95 for 300g – a crisp outer texture with a delicate centre of almond.
Brutti ma Buoni, £7.95 for 250g – meaning ‘Ugly but Good’, and that’s exactly how they taste!
Confectionery, £4.95
Cola Cubes 305g – mouth-watering, sugar coated boiled sweets with a cola taste
Pineapple Cubes 305g – the fruity cousin of the cola cubes, with a sweet-sour taste of pineapple, like a trip to the sunny South Pacific!
Jelly Babies 305g – dusted and soft, they actually all have different facial expressions.
Pear Drops 330g
Blackberry and Raspberry Jelly Sweets 270g – these look like berries and are made from real berry juice.
Dolly Mixtures 290g
...and it all end in teas...
Tea, 50 tea bags
Assam Single Estate, £2.45 – A powerful, full bodied Tea with a strong, malty flavour.
Darjeeling, £2.45 – With a fine and distinctive flavour and aroma, Darjeeling is known as the champagne of Teas, particularly good in the afternoon, especially with cakes.
Earl Grey, £2.45 – A blend of fine black China Teas and the natural oil of Bergamot, producing a light liquor. Serve without milk, but delicious with a slice of lemon.
English Breakfast, £2.45 – A bright invigorating Tea best served with milk, and enjoyed any time of the day.
Jasmine, £2.95 – China Tea infused over night with freshly picked Jasmine flowers, which are removed by hand in the morning, leaving behind the Jasmine fragranced Tea.
Decaffeinated Green, £3.75 – A light, sweet flavoured Tea suitable for drinking at any time of the day. Serve with milk or a slice of lemon.
Chamomile, £3.45 – The Chamomile flowers are picked and dried immediately to preserve their unique flavour. Naturally caffeine free, this Tea is best enjoyed without milk, but with a little honey.
Peppermint, £3.45 – The Peppermint leaves are picked, dried and cut to produce the distinctive flavour and aroma. Naturally caffeine free and used as a digestive, this Tea is best enjoyed on its own.
Tea Infusions
Lemon Verbena, £2.45 – Large Lemon Verbena leaves provide a wonderfully rich lemon aroma and fresh taste.
Rosehip and Hibiscus, £3.75 – Rosehip Tea blended with Hibiscus flowers gives a thirst quenching infusion with a strong aroma.
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