SPAR owner Henderson has announced a £500,000 investment in new kitchen facilities in Randalstown, creating 14 jobs.
The Mallusk-based food group, which employs 3,700 people, said the move by its wholesale division includes the appointment of Spar’s first in-house head chef in the north.
Carl Johannesson, a former executive chef with the well-known Belfast-based James Street South Group, will head up the new team, which will be tasked with creating a new range of restaurant quality meals. The new range will initially be available from a number of Eurospar stores.
The new products will be branded ‘The Chef’, which Henderson’s say will be made in small batches, using quality ingredients.
The range will involve the collaboration of Henderson’s wholesale and foodservice operations, using local suppliers K&G McAtamney, Bradmount Foods, Elmore Fish Ltd., Big Pot Co. and Daily Bake.
Henderson’s fresh foods director Neal Kelly said the group has continued to invest in food ranges based around Irish produce.
“Combining both our consumer and market knowledge, we have developed products with chef Carl which can be bought when there is a need for a home cooked meal without the time it takes to cook from scratch, or even a midweek treat.
“Some of the products are those which shoppers may not expect to find in our stores but which we know will be incredibly popular.”
Chef Carl Johannesson added; “My team and I will be cooking wholesome food for hundreds of shoppers to enjoy every day without compromising on quality and flavour, that I would happily serve in a restaurant.
“We’re confident to be bringing this level of quality food to the shelves of local stores and can’t wait for local shoppers to enjoy it.”
