Sharwood’s cooking sauces – a brand seeing growth in the independent channel year on year, celebrated National Curry Week 2023 last October by launching an exclusive competition giving an independent retailer the chance to win a meal for their local community. Winner Jatinder Singh, retailer at The Old Bank convenience store, hosted a lunchtime curry at The Rockwell Centre in Bradford for his shoppers, complete with a range of delicious Indian dishes created especially by the Sharwood’s chefs using the brand’s much-loved cooking sauces and accompaniments.
Sharwood’s worked in partnership with Unitas on the competition, with retailers who purchased participating Sharwood’s products from Unitas depots entered into the competition through a scan to win format. The winning retailer enjoyed a menu of Sharwood’s paneer, cauliflower and spinach tikka masala as well as a Sharwood’s madras with slow cooked leg of lamb, with all the trimmings. It was a hit with the guests, with many interested in how they could recreate the dishes at home with the Sharwood’s products.
“I’m so grateful to Sharwood’s for the amazing food and for giving me the opportunity to help show appreciation for my local community with a fantastic meal for us all to share together,” said Jatinder.
Courtney Lewis, Customer Director for Discounters, Spar and Wholesale at Premier Foods, said, “The Sharwood’s competition to celebrate National Curry Week 2023 gave Jatinder the chance to create an unforgettable taste experience for his local community, using some of our favourite Sharwood’s products like the Tikka Masala and Madras sauces. At Premier Foods we’re passionate about supporting retailers and giving them the opportunity to show appreciation to their shoppers, as well as helping to generate excitement in store around important calendar moments such as National Curry week.”
Lee Wild, Trading Controller who works with Premier Foods within Unitas, stated: “Premier Foods are a key supplier to Unitas members, and they really understand our members and the retailers that shop in our members depots. The team at Premier Foods recognised that local independent retailers are often at the heart of their communities and this initiative was a great example of helping retailers give back to their communities.”