A raft of products aimed at helping customers navigate a pandemic-impacted market has seen Brakes winning seven category awards at the Q Awards, more than half of those available.
The UK’s leading foodservice wholesaler also took home the coveted Foodservice Operator of the Year title and Foodservice Product of the Year, for its Pumpkin Mac & Cheese Bites.
Stuart Smith, Brakes’ Merchandising Director, dedicated the success to the company’s customer focus. He said, “We have been 100% focused on developing products that bring clear benefits to our customers, whether that’s saving them time in the kitchen, enabling them to create stand-out menus, or helping them to interpret and get ahead of emerging consumer tastes and trends.
“That clear focus has meant that products are already destined for success as they are designed around our deep knowledge of our customers and the consumers they serve. We’re proud of our NPD team, the most proactive in the industry, and it is testament to their passion, love of food and deep expertise, that we’ve won 7 out of the 13 categories available.
'I know the entire Brakes team will be delighted to have been voted Wholesaler of the Year, which we believe reflects our customer first service proposition which places customers at the heart of everything we do.”
The 17 successful products (including the winners and those commended by the judges) in the Q Awards are:
Foodservice Operator of the Year
Brakes
Foodservice Product of the Year
Pumpkin Mac Cheese Bites (pictured)
Savoury
Pumpkin Mac Cheese Bites (winner)
Bread and Morning Goods
La Boulangerie Vegan Potato Burger Bun (winner)
La Boulangerie Extra Thick Traditional Sourdough Tin Loaf (highly commended)
La Boulangerie Artisan Seeded Loaves (commended)
Cakes and Desserts
Brakes Vegan Jaffa Cake (highly commended)
Foodservice Christmas
Brakes Dark Chocolate Delice (winner)
Brakes Vegan Cherry & Chocolate Dessert (commended)
Fish
Cooked Octopus Tentacles (winner)
M&J British MSC Hake Supreme Skin on Boneless (commended)
Free From
Brakes Gluten Free Batter Mix (highly commended)
Ingredients
Brakes Spicy Chip Seasoning (highly commended)
Brakes Bread & Butter Pickles (commended)
Meal Accompaniments
Brakes Mixed Kale & Savoy Cabbage (highly commended)
Ready to Cook
M&J Mac & Cheese Smoked MSC Haddock Fishcakes (winner)
Vegan Soya Keema (commended)
Vegan Ingredients
Brakes Gluten Free Fine Chicken Gravy Granules (winner)
Vegetables
Goma Wakame Sesame Seaweed (winner)