Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay is renowned for his sharp humor, fiery critiques, and highly regarded restaurants and cookbooks. Now, the “MasterChef” star is channeling his vibrant personality into the frozen food aisle with the introduction of his frozen entree line, By Chef Ramsay. This range includes eight distinct dishes, such as lasagna, chicken pot pie, four cheese macaroni bake, and lemon caper chicken, among others. Produced in collaboration with Golden West Food, these meals are exclusively available at Walmart nationwide. Despite Ramsay’s experience in fine dining, holding seven Michelin stars across his restaurants, these frozen entrees are priced affordably, according to Golden West. The idea behind these frozen dinners is to let people savor Ramsay’s culinary expertise at home, effectively “bridging the gap” between his iconic dishes showcased on television and those served in his high-end restaurants. Ramsay is entering the frozen food market at an opportune moment, as sales of frozen food products have surged compared to pre-pandemic levels. In 2022, sales rose by 8.6% to reach $72.2 billion, as reported by the American Frozen Food Institute. “I’m thrilled to bring my favorite dishes into homes across the country,” Ramsay stated. “It excites me that these meals are so widely accessible for everyone to enjoy, and I hope they inspire the home chef in all of us.”
Meanwhile, as consumer interest in protein continues to grow, food companies are finding innovative ways to cater to various meal occasions. Banza, known for its chickpea-based pasta and products, is expanding into the breakfast market with Protein Waffles, which contain 10 grams of protein per serving. They come in three flavors: Homestyle, Blueberry, and Chocolate Chip. Banza Waffles are available at Whole Foods, Amazon, and on Banza’s website. Since its debut in 2014, Banza has thrived amid the rise of healthier food options, and its successful launch of Banza Pizza in 2020 inspired the brand to delve deeper into frozen foods. The company also offers mac & cheese and rice products. “Our customers have expressed a desire for breakfast that is quick, tasty, and nutritious,” said Brian Rudolph, CEO and co-founder of Banza. “By transforming chickpeas into waffles, we aim to accomplish all three while promoting our mission to encourage more consumption of chickpeas and other beans.” Other breakfast brands promoting high-protein offerings include Kodiak’s frozen waffles and pancakes, with the former containing 12 grams of protein per serving.
Nestlé’s Coffee mate is tapping into nostalgia with its launch of a Peanut Butter & Jelly Flavored Duo Creamer. Few flavor combinations evoke as much nostalgia for busy adults as the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich. This is the first PB&J creamer of its kind and marks the brand’s first flavor mash-up. Nestlé highlights that while consumers might debate the best jelly for the iconic sandwich, strawberry’s sweetness pairs perfectly with creamy peanut butter, delivering the nostalgic taste reminiscent of childhood lunches. The peanut butter and jelly sandwich remains a favorite among U.S. consumers. “Inspired by coffee lovers who grew up with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in their lunchboxes, this limited-edition Coffee mate Duo will provide a cheerful splash of nostalgia and honor the only other pairing as iconic as coffee and creamer,” stated Leonardo Aizpuru, Nestlé’s vice president of brand marketing for the beverage division. Coffee mate, referencing IRI Market Advantage data, noted that a significant reason for introducing new flavors is that 53% of its users switch between flavors, while 56% are always seeking new options. The PB&J creamer is unlikely to be the last flavor combination; additional Coffee mate Duo Flavors will be available starting in December. Known for flavors like French Vanilla and Hazelnut, Coffee mate has also introduced limited-edition flavors such as Snickers, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Pop-Tarts, and Rice Krispies Treats in recent years.
In today’s market, it’s essential to consider how nutritional supplements, like Citracal, can play a role in various life stages, including pregnancy. As consumers become more health-conscious, brands are increasingly integrating such supplements into their product lines to meet diverse dietary needs.