Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Indian meal kit brand Spice Tailor acquired by Premier Foods for £43.8 million

Spice Tailor was founded by cookbook author Anjum Anand and her husband Adarsh Sethia in 2010

Indian meal kit brand Spice Tailor acquired by Premier Foods for £43.8 million

The Spice Tailor, a meal kits company founded by an Indian-origin couple, has been sold to Premier Foods for an initial consideration of £43.8 million.

The Spice Tailor, specialised in Indian and South East Asian food, has clocked a compounded annual growth of more than 20 per cent over the last four years.

Food writer and presenter Anjum Anand and her husband Adarsh Sethia who founded the firm owned a 9.5 stake each in the business in which a majority share was held by a Jersey-based trust.

The UK is its main market, accounting for 58 per cent of its sales, followed by Australia which generates 35 per cent of its revenues.

Anand who has authored eight Indian cookbooks and featured in cooking series on BBC Two decided in 2010 to create her own range of meal kits that tasted homemade and were quick and easy to prepare. It was because she felt the products already available in the supermarkets didn't represent the real flavours she grew up with.

When Anand and Sethia set up the firm, they wanted to take Indian food beyond take-ways and jarred sauces and create a better home-cooking experience.

On the sale of their business, Anand and Sethia said the deal could lead to unlocking further growth of the firm they nurtured since its inception.

“We see Premier with their track record of brand investment and strong commercial relationships, as the perfect fit for The Spice Tailor, driving it onto the next stage of its evolution,” they said.

Premier Foods said its acquisition of the Spice Tailor would complement its Sharwood’s and Loyd Grossman brands across geographies.

Premier Foods also owns other brands including Ambrosia, Batchelor's, Bisto, Mr Kipling and Oxo.

Its CEO Alex Whitehouse said the acquisition was “well-aligned” to the St Albans-based company’s growth strategy.

“This acquisition represents a highly complementary geographical fit, and we see significant potential to expand The Spice Tailor’s distribution in all our target markets. We see this as another important milestone for us following the Group’s strong performance over recent years and The Spice Tailor is an important addition to accelerate our future growth plans,” he said.

More For You

Southport

Floral tributes left by members of the public are seen following the fatal knife attack on three young girls in July in Southport.

Reuters

Public inquiry begins into Southport girls' murders

A PUBLIC inquiry begins on Tuesday into the murders of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport last year.

The inquiry will examine whether the attack could have been prevented and how future incidents might be avoided.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Getty

Starmer is facing a Labour backbench revolt over plans to reform special needs support in schools without guaranteeing existing legal rights. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images)

Starmer faces Labour pushback over SEND reform plans

KEIR STARMER is facing a backlash from Labour MPs over plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, after ministers stopped short of guaranteeing legal rights for parents.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government was committed to reforming the current system, which costs £12 billion a year. However, she did not confirm if legally enforceable rights, such as those provided by education, health and care plans (EHCPs), would remain.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week

iStock

Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London before 30°C heatwave

Key points

  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms drench London at the start of the week
  • Temperatures set to rise with highs of 31°C expected by Thursday
  • Heatwave could be declared by Friday if warm conditions persist
  • Night-time temperatures to remain high, increasing discomfort
  • UV and pollen levels forecast to be very high across the south

Thunderstorms soak London before summer heat returns

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week as heavy rain and overnight thunderstorms swept through the capital. Monday morning saw widespread downpours, leaving commuters reaching for umbrellas and Wimbledon ticket hopefuls queuing in ponchos.

The unsettled conditions followed a burst of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon and continued into the early hours of Monday, prompting caution across the city. The Met Office has not issued a formal weather warning for thunderstorms, but conditions remain unstable.

Keep ReadingShow less
National Trust sets vision to heal
nature and engage more Asians

Lisa Nandy, Steve Reed, René Olivieri and Hilary McGrady at a National Trust event marking its 130th anniversary

National Trust sets vision to heal nature and engage more Asians

THE National Trust, which is seeking to broaden its appeal to British Asians, is marking its 130th anniversary with a renewed commitment to restoring nature and widening access under a 10-year strategy.

Its director-general, Hilary McGrady, also aims to inspire more people to get involved in caring for the country’s natural resources.

Keep ReadingShow less
 7/7 bombings

The King said the public should draw on the 'extraordinary courage and compassion' shown in response to the attacks. (Photo credit: X/@RoyalFamily)

Starmer and King Charles pay tribute on 20th anniversary of 7/7 bombings

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer and King Charles on Monday paid tribute to the unity shown in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings in London, as the country marked 20 years since the attacks.

On 7 July 2005, four Islamist extremists carried out suicide bombings at Aldgate Station, Edgware Road, King's Cross and Tavistock Square. The attacks killed 52 people and injured hundreds more.

Keep ReadingShow less