Our core production team at Finlar collectively has over 150 years of coating experience which gives us the confidence to develop gourmet products for discerning customers. Being obsessed with creating world-class products for Woolworths, our team found that the quality of Southern Fried Chicken was enhanced when the chicken was portioned, as opposed to being cooked whole like the M&S product. This allowed for better coating adhesion and the infusion of flavours. We also found that gently cooking and coating the chicken in multiple stages enhanced the texture and locked-in the taste.

Lize Moolman, new product development manager, explains the product’s novelty: “First, the equipment used to produce Southern Fried Chicken Portions is world class and we follow a strict scientific process. There are many variables which need to be balanced to get the perfect quality and organoleptic characteristics (i.e. the product must delight all the senses – taste, visual, feel, smell). Second, the functionality of the ingredients used in this product is critical and has been mastered to achieve perfection after multiple trials.”

“Finlar is able to develop core iconic products, like Southern Fried Chicken Portions, because we invest heavily in the science throughout the development stage from the natural ingredients sourced for the flavour, to the texture of the finished ready-to-eat product, and the sustainable packaging,” says Maruis Marais, Commercial Manager. “We understand the various chemical and physical properties and components of food and how they respond to processing, preservation, packaging, storage and distribution. We apply this knowledge combined with that from the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, and engineering, to create appealing products efficiently and consistently for Woolworths. From the harvest to the table, our delight is when consumers enjoy the final product, and make the decision to purchase it again.”