NEWS ROUND UP


Phat Pasty Company announces plant-based trademark


The award-winning Phat Pasty Company has become the first pasty company to earn the Vegetarian Society’s Plant-Based Trademark.


With a commitment to quality and British ingredients, Phat Pasty has led plant-based innovation for years. It launched the first vegan pasty over six years ago, and now, 50% of its range is vegetarian or vegan. Their Peppered Steak-Less Pasty was the first vegan pasty to win ‘Best Savoury Pasty’ at the 2022 World Pasty Championships. Paul Clark, Phat Controller at Phat Pasty, said: “We’ve pioneered vegan


products, starting with our Keralan Cauliflower, Chickpea & Onion Bhaji Pasty, the first plant-based pasty on the market. We’ve expanded our range while ensuring unbeatable taste, and we’re proud to be the first pasty company recognised by the Vegetarian Society’s Plant-Based Trademark.”


Phat Pasty supplies hand-made pasties to cafes, restaurants, theme parks, and foodservice wholesalers across the UK. In 2020, they launched Phat At Home, offering frozen pasties for home baking. Deirdra Barr from the Vegetarian Society said: “We’re thrilled to see the


Haldiram UK partners with Rose Media Group


Rose Media Group has announced its partnership with Haldiram UK, India’s most iconic and largest snack brand, as it embarks on an ambitious journey to capture the UK market. This strategic collaboration comes as the culmination of an 8-year relationship built on trust and shared goals. As a globally renowned name synonymous with authentic Indian snacks and sweets, Haldiram has chosen RMG as its retained agency to spearhead


marketing and PR efforts in the competitive UK market.


Founded in 1937 and still owned by


the Agarwal family, Haldiram is a true legacy brand in India, with a turnover surpassing the combined revenues of Domino’s and Burger King in the country. It is a powerhouse in the global food industry, celebrated for its quality and innovation. Commenting on the new partnership, Aneela Rose, Managing Director of Rose Media Group, said: “We’ve passionately championed


Haldiram for the past eight years, and this partnership demonstrates the power of perseverance and shared vision. We’re absolutely thrilled about the opportunities ahead to elevate their profile and make their products


Plant-Based Trademark on pasties, pies, and savouries. Phat’s Peppered Steak-Less Pasty, Keralan Cauliflower & Onion Bhaji Pasty, Butternut Squash, Spinach & Vegan Feta Pasty, and Spinach Balti Pies will now carry the accreditation.” Designed as the gold standard, the Plant- Based Trademark provides assurance to both manufacturers and consumers.


Century-old Grange Bakery closes all branches A beloved South Lakes bakery with a 100-year


history has announced the immediate closure of all four of its branches. Grange Bakery, which operated in Grange, Flookburgh, Ulverston, and Barrow, made the unexpected announcement on February 19 via its Facebook page. “With great sadness, we are sorry to announce the closure of all four shops of Grange Bakery with immediate effect,” the statement read. “The current economic climate has been very difficult for small independent businesses like ours, and despite the best efforts of our staff, we simply cannot continue.” The bakery, known for its commitment to high-


quality, handcrafted baked goods, had served both retail and wholesale customers for over a century. In September 2024, it was named Best Bakery Shop in Furness by The Mail.


household favourites across the UK.” Haldiram produces over 500 products, including sweets, namkeen (small savouries), ready-to-eat meals, and frozen foods. These are distributed globally through a vast network of over 1,000 distributors, reaching seven million retail outlets across 80+ countries, including the UK, USA, and Australia. The brand has also expanded into sub-brands like Minute Khana, Khaas, and Cherish, while operating more than 300 restaurants across India.


The challenges facing Grange Bakery had been mounting. In November 2024, the company ceased in-house bread production, citing soaring ingredient, energy, and operational costs. In a blog post on December 4, the business explained: “It has become unsustainable for us to continue our in-house production without compromising on quality or facing significant financial losses. This was not a decision we made lightly.” Despite discontinuing bread production, Grange Bakery had continued offering pastries, cakes, and baked goods through partnerships with local suppliers.


Expressing gratitude to both staff and customers, the bakery’s farewell message concluded: “We are sorry that we will no longer be there for you. Thank you and best wishes from Grange Bakery.”


6 Kennedy’s Bakery Production February/March 2025 bakeryproduction.co.uk


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