A la carte pre-packed chicken

LION Foods Group used the World of Hospitality as the launchpad for a new à la carte portion-controlled chicken range.

The added-value product combines the expertise of the two companies that together set up the Lion Foods Group last October - cooked poultry specialist Hockenhull & Hayes and Lion Foods, which is best known for its herbs and spices.

Before cooking, the chicken is marinaded in a combination of herbs and spices. It is delivered sealed in cook-in-the-bag-style packaging for reheating.

Ultimately the company expects the product to be developed into one of its biggest foodservice lines.

Spokesman Graham Hall said several roadside restaurant chains, hotel chains and hospitals had tried the product at the show, and were likely to place orders.

Currently the group has a turnover of about £50m turnover, but Mr Hall said that figure was expected to double through organic growth and through acquisitions similar to that of smoked salmon specialist Tarbert Fyne Foods last September.