Prepared Foods

Cub Foods will play host to a Midwest qualifying event this weekend for the 2009 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog-Eating Contest. The 13 contestants included three Cub customers alongside 10 of “some of the nation’s best competitive eaters.” Whoever crams the most hot dogs down in 10 minutes will advance to the Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY.

As Dickens wrote of the French Revolution, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” The same can be said of the average in-store deli department, whose gains as a result of the uptick in at-home eating during the past 12-month period have been largely blunted by consumer belt-tightening and higher wholesale and retail costs, according to findings revealed in Progressive Grocer’s annual “state of the deli department” report.

In tandem with the 20th anniversary of its central commissary, Ukrop’s Super Market has introduced a new signature line of entrees, sides, and desserts under the Ukrop’s Bakes brand. Designed to be quick solutions for everyday meal planning, Ukrop’s Bakes are “oven to table-ready” in about 30 minutes.

After several consecutive years of flat sales and stale performance, in-store bakery department performance is on the rise, but there still remains ample room for continued improvement, according to the latest insights revealed in Progressive Grocer’s 2009 annual Bakery Operations Review.

The Curry Love line of organic curry sauces blends curries and spices from various Asian cultures and traditions. Created by Swiss-born, Los Angeles-based chef and entrepreneur Michael Buechi, the premium line consists of Blissful Banana Curry, Passion Red Thai Curry and Luscious Yellow Thai Curry.

Made with only USDA-inspected cuts of beef, Farmland Gold Medal Premier Beef Hot Dogs are perfect for foodservice operators looking to “upscale” the classic American treat. Because they’re produced in smaller batches, Farmland Gold Medal Premier Beef Hot Dogs have an old-world artisan appeal that pairs well with garlic bread or French rolls to create a signature dish.

Peapod has introduced a line of six ready-to-heat, healthy prepared meals by celebrity Chicago chef Michael Foley. Exclusive to the e-grocer, the restaurant-quality entrees are available for delivery in the Chicago market under the Peapod’s Chef Express Smart Selections brand.

Tampa Maid’s Oven-Ready Popcorn Shrimp should pop right out of retailers’ frozen cases into shoppers’ carts. The restaurant-quality tail-off shrimp is coated in the Lakeland, Fla.-based company’s unique oven-ready breadcrumbs promising the just the right amount of crunch in every bite.