The Nation’s Favourite

“Chicken is the nation’s favourite meat, representing over 40% of meat eaten in the UK according to Love British Food. This versatile protein can instantly transform a dish depending on which bit of the bird caterers use.

For example, wings are a dish in their own right. Great for drumming up interest with a themed offer like Wing Wednesdays, chicken wings can be easily pizzazzed by mixing up sauces and seasonings. Buffalo sauce is a must-have, and Funnybones’ unique Rio Pacific Buffalo Wing Sauce recipe uses a creamy texture to offset the spicy kick of cayenne peppers. Funnybones’ Rio Pacific Korean BBQ Sauce is also a popular choice and helps operators tap into the demand for fusion food. Containing notes of ginger, garlic, sesame, and Asian pear, this sauce delivers the sticky sweetness of a classic American dip with the spicy twist of the Far East. Likewise, Funnybones’ Great Taste award-winning Grace Jamaican Honey Jerk Seasoning paste is great for helping operators add more internationally inspired dishes to their menus.

Beyond wings and traditional chicken thigh or breast fillets, pulled meats are also becoming increasingly popular. Funnybones’ new Rio Pacific pulled chicken has been authentically smoked with hickory wood chips in an open smoker for up to 14 hours, resulting in a superior taste and texture. The convenient 2 x 1kg format can be kept refrigerated for up to 5 days once defrosted, so there’s no risk of unnecessary food waste. Thanks to its light seasoning, the meats can be customised with any sauce or seasoning for maximum culinary creativity. Use it to spread over pizzas, as an alternative to a beef patty in a burger, bundled into a burrito, taco, or quesadilla, to top nachos or tater tots to create premium ‘loaded’ versions of these dishes, or to add a bit of protein to breakfast egg muffins. The applications of this versatile meat are endless.

For even greater convenience, operators could consider introducing finished products which contain chicken, such as Funnybones’ chicken fajita taquitos or Jamaican jerk chicken patties. Both ideal for tapping into ever-increasing demand for global cuisines, these ready-to-cook products can be quickly prepared for speedy service. Translating into ‘small taco’, taquitos are small flour tortillas, wrapped around a filled and fried until crispy. Funnybones’ lightly spiced fajita chicken version is packed with chicken, onion, and peppers. Serve as an appetiser, individually as a snack on the go, or as a larger portion for guests to share, smothered with sour cream and guacamole. On the flip side, Funnybones’ Irie Eats Jamaican patties are a staple of grab and go food in the streets of Kingston, Jamaica. Jerk chicken has quickly become one of the UK’s favourite Caribbean flavours, and this patty delivers the authentic hot and punchy notes of pimento and scotch bonnet peppers, wrapped in sunshine golden, turmeric-spiced flaky pastry. Serve as a snack on its own, or alongside some rice ‘n’ peas to make it a meal.

Finally, with chicken proving to be a popular protein, operators should also consider adopting a meat-alike version to appeal to new plant-based diners who crave a similar taste and texture. Funnybones’ chicken-free fillets are coated in a crispy cornflake crunch and makes an ideal alternative to a classic chicken burger. The versatile fillets could also be chopped intro strips to be added to wraps and other meals. Arriving frozen to eliminate the risk of unnecessary food waste, the fillets can be prepared in just 4 minutes, making them ideal for fast food outlets prioritising speedy service.”

Funnybones Foodservice specialises in American, Tex-Mex and Caribbean foods, offering a wide range of authentic specialist and mainstream products that represent the best of the cuisines from this part of the world.