Wiltshire Farm Foods Journal

Customer Mary Legg-Willis had a taste of life at the Wiltshire Farm Foods headquarters after winning our nationwide recipe competition.

Mary had impressed the expert panel of judges with her recipe for scrumptious chicken casserole.

And her prize included a hamper full of goodies, as well as the VIP treatment on a day-long visit to the kitchens in Trowbridge, Wilts.

After being greeted by marketing executive Sian Lewis, Mary was given a tour of the site where our meals are prepared.

First stop was to meet taste assessors Carrie Coveney and Sue Powell who, along with the rest of their team, taste more than 100 meals a day to ensure that each one meets our high standards.

Next was the product development centre where the chefs dream up the recipe ideas for the range of over 200 different meals Wiltshire Farm Foods offers customers nationwide.

And it was here Mary, 65, met Head Chef Phil Rimmer who had nothing but praise for her recipe.

He said: “I was particularly impressed with the way Mary flavoured her chicken casserole with anchovies and olives.

“It meant there was no need for salt and showed a very imaginative use of ingredients.”

And Phil should know – he and his team can spend up to seven months testing a recipe and perfecting it before it is ready for Wiltshire Farm Foods’ 200,000 customers!

Before leaving Phil’s department Mary had a chance to taste two new dishes being developed for the range; pork and leek sausages with colcannon mash and monkfish steak with pea and pancetta sauce, carrots and courgettes.

After enjoying a mouthwatering lunch of lamb shank and dauphinois potatoes from our new Select range, Mary was shown around the on-site laboratory by supervisor Anita Drago.

It is here exhaustive tests are carried out to ensure every meal leaving the site is tested for the quality and levels of every ingredient and constituent, including fat, protein, sodium, moisture, potassium, and more.

Before her big day drew to a close Mary met Ben Haynes, Wiltshire Farm Foods’ Director who once again congratulated her on her recipe.

“It was an amazing experience,” said Mary, who lives in Liss, near Petersfield, Hants.

“I’ve been a customer of Wiltshire Farm Foods since a friend recommended it to me two years ago.

“I’ve always wondered how the company managed to produce such a wide range of excellent meals every day.

“Now I know!”

She added: “It really is an incredible operation. I’ve loved cooking and many years ago I went to a domestic science college. But seeing the professionals at work was something I will never forget.

“What really struck me was how friendly everyone was – just like the drivers!”

Marketing executive Sian Lewis said: “Mary is a wonderful lady and we’re delighted she had such an enjoyable time.

Many of you entered in our Wiltshire Farm Foods March Newsletter competition. Thank you for sharing your most cherished Easter memories with us. We thought we'd share some of these stories. Here are two of our competition runners up stories.

My memories are going now as both my wife and myself are 76, but what I do remember is having four girls and all of them being so excited with holidays like Easter and Christmas. We didn’t have a lot but my wife and girls never went without. Now I have grandchildren and even great grandchildren and they are the same as their mothers were when they were small. It’s wonderful being a husband, dadda, and granshie and the holiday season is a very special time and it’s always to be enjoyed.

Entry from Patrick Lynch, Cwmbran

My favourite memory of Easter is from when I was very little, about 4 or 5. My Mum and I lived with my Grandparents and my Mum worked in London as a Secretary to a Professor at the Dental School in London. Mum worked long hours and most weekends and Bank Holidays she would bring work home, so I didn't get to spend very long with her.

This particular Easter Sunday my Mum took me out and we went to Trafalgar Square to feed the pigeons. It was a very special time and a precious memory still for both of us; nearly 60 years later we both look back and laugh at the 'photo' of me covered in pigeons!

Entry from J Meadows

Once again thank for sharing your stories.

Wiltshire Farm Foods Team

Wiltshire Farm Foods celebrates its sixteen birthday this May, and we’d like you to help us celebrate!

We’ll be looking at the history of your number one home meals delivery service, speaking to our staff about the Wiltshire Farm Foods of yesteryear, and remembering such highlights as a Royal visit!

We’ll also be hearing from Phil and the team, launching a very special birthday competition and keep your eyes peeled for a super sweet promotion!

Wiltshire Farm Foods parent company apetito has just been announced as part of a short list for two categories in the highly prestigious ‘National Business Awards’. apetito has been short listed for the Wales and West Country regional finals for both the ‘Corporate Social Responsibility Award’ and the ‘Business Innovation of The Year Award’.

Inclusion in the Corporate Social Responsibility Award recognises apetito’s commitment to reducing its impact on the environment. Just some of our key achievements so far include increasing recycling by 20% in 2007 to 438 tonnes a year, dramatically cutting exhaust pollution from their transport fleet by investing heavily in a cleaner, greener fleet and achieving the international standard ISO14001 for their environmental management systems.

The Corporate Social Responsibility Award nomination also reflects our social commitment, having donated over £34,000 to charities and community schemes in the last 2 years and constantly working to provide meals that are as balanced and nutritious as possible, so our customers can enjoy great food, every day.

Director Ben Haynes comments, “It’s great to see our endeavours as a company recognised for such a prestigious award on a national scale, and in two categories no less!” The winners will be announced on the 22nd July at a gala dinner, so fingers crossed!

Whatever your culinary tastes or cultural dietary requirements, at Wiltshire Farm Foods we are proud to provide you with a wide range of ethnic dishes, delivered frozen to your door by our friendly drivers, as well as our usual range of mouth-watering meals.

From Caribbean and West Indian meals to a selection of Asian Halal and Asian Vegetarian options, our carefully selected suppliers have created and prepared every dish to exacting and authentic standards, also featuring dishes prepared to strict Kosher standards.

Kosher dishes include Chicken Schnitzel, Beef Goulash and scrumptious Spaghetti Bolognaise, as well as many fish dishes, like Grilled Salmon, and tempting desserts such as Apple Strudel.

Ready meals never tasted so good, and for a real taste of the Caribbean why not try spicy Jerk Chicken, Rice and Red Kidney Beans, or tangy Callaloo & Saltfish & White Rice? Both ranges have mixer packs available, or for full details of the range see our Special Diet Guide.

Wiltshire Farm Foods also carries an extensive collection of Asian Halal and Asian Vegetarian meals. Choose from Masala Gosht with Mixed Dal & Basmati Rice, or creamy Chicken Coconut with Mixed Dal & Basmati Rice.

Asian Vegetarians can enjoy Saag Alu with Split Masoor Dal & Saag Pulao, or Dudhi Chana Dal with Kadhi & Khichadi. So why not give us a go, and have delicious, authentic dishes delivered direct, by the experts?

Ring your local outlet for more details, and to place your order today.