Waitrose accelerates food innovation drive with new product development facilities
Waitrose has invested in new food development facilities at its Bracknell head office and doubled the number of chefs working on new food ideas as part of its long-term plans for product innovation.
A new £1.5 million development kitchen is on track to open at the site in the middle of 2018. There will also be a cookery theatre for training courses in food knowledge and food development, a dedicated innovation room and a suite of five tasting rooms where Waitrose’s food innovation team will work with suppliers on product development.
The facility will have a team of seven chefs, led by Jonathon Moore, Waitrose’s executive chef for brand development and innovation.
Rupert Thomas, Waitrose commercial director, said: “Innovation is in the DNA of our business and over the years we’ve pioneered everything from the first supermarket organic food through to chocolate and ginger mince pies, which are new this Christmas. This new facility is part of our commitment to being the most innovative, high quality food retailer in the supermarket sector.”
