Spicy cookie dough gelato from PepsiCo and Doughlicious
Doughlicious has teamed up with PepsiCo to create a limited-edition bird’s eye chilli cookie dough, wrapped in a ghost chilli infused gelato and dusted with chipotle cookie crumb.
Launching in time to add some heat to a very chilly February, the bites combine the flavours of Walkers Extra Flamin’ Hot to the London-based Doughlicious cookie dough ice cream.
The ‘world-first’ launch has been going big on TikTok, with paid partnerships with comedians Asim Chaudhry and Axel Blake seeing more than 2m views.
The collaboration marks the expansion of the Extra Flamin’ Hot snack offering, with the addition of limited-edition Walkers Extra Flamin’ Hot, which joins the classic Extra Flamin’ Hot Doritos, Walkers MAX, and Wotsits Crunchy.
To mark the latest addition to the Extra Flamin’ Hot line-up, the flavour has launched alongside three unexpected, limited-edition brand collabs (Doughlicious, Ginsters and UpCircle).
Commenting on the launch, Rob Pothier, head of marketing for Extra Flamin' Hot said: “Nobody likes January. It’s dark, gloomy and cold, so we wanted to bring the heat the best way we could… launching spicy brand collabs with the Temp Drop Shop. To celebrate the launch of the limited-edition Walkers Extra Flamin’ Hot, we partnered with brands where you’d least expect us to bring the heat this winter. Working with Ginsters, Doughlicious and UpCircle we’ve got the perfect line-up for anyone looking to spice up their winter in completely unexpected ways.”
Kathryn Bricken, founder of Doughlicious added: “When our friends at PepsiCo came to us with the concept of creating a collaborative product with Extra Flamin’ Hot, it was a no brainer for the Doughlicious team; it’s an honour to be participating in the launch of a new Extra Flamin’ Hot product with such an epic brand, and it was so much fun creating a Cookie Dough & Gelato recipe that both tastes indulgent and is super sneaky hot! We can’t wait for Doughlicious fans to try this fiery new treat, and to bring our Cookie Dough & Gelato Bites to a new, chilli-loving audience!”
As part of the launch on the 14 February, Doughlicious will be popping up at busy travel hubs to give away over 10,000 Gelato Bites to chilli-loving, chilly commuters.
Extra Flamin’ Hot Cookie Dough & Gelato Bites are available from Ocado Zapp and through Deliveroo, GoPuff, and TikTok Shop at a RRP £5 per six pack until the end of March.
Theakston Brewery launches special beer to mark Six Nations
Independent Yorkshire brewery, T&R Theakston has launched its Yorkshire ‘AKA (a-ck-a) beer in celebration of this year’s Six Nations rugby tournament.
Its name is a nod to the viral video depicting a Yorkshire interpretation of the traditional war dance performed by members of New Zealand teams at the commencement of international sporting events.
The Yorkshire ‘AKA is available in the on-trade between February and March in line with the tournament.
At 4.2%, the medium-bodied red ale is a ‘scrum-cious’ blend of international ingredients sourced from all the countries taking part in the Six Nations annual tournament, including malts from Ireland and Scotland, honey from Wales and hops from England, France and Italy.
Chairman of T&R Theakston, Simon Theakston said: “We’ve been producing our beers in the North Yorkshire town of Masham for almost 200 years and are incredibly proud of our Yorkshire roots. This beer brings together our pride and brewing expertise with the highest quality ingredients from across the six nations participating in this year’s championship to create a beer which celebrates how sport, like good beer can bring people together.”
Youtubers, the Sidemen expand ice cream range into retail
Beechdean has partnered with YouTube collective the Sidemen to bring its SIDES ice cream range into retail following growing demand within hospitality.
SIDES restaurants are best known for their fried chicken, but their ice creams have proven hugely popular since launching in December 2024.
The ice cream range first appeared on SIDES’ festive menu and have since been used in the production of the restaurants’ milkshakes.
The core SIDES ice cream range includes Cookie Dough Core, Chocolate Millionaire’s, Salted Caramel Cake, and Chocolate Brownie Fudge Cake flavours.
Both Salted Caramel Cake and Chocolate Brownie Fudge Cake flavours have secured listings in Iceland and will be going live on shelves on 11 February.
The ice cream is made by Beechdean exclusively for the Sidemen at its purpose-built Cheshire based ice cream manufacturing facility.
Beechdean has been producing dairy ice cream since 1989, becoming one of the UK’s leading ice cream manufacturers.
Andrew Howard, Beechdean co-founder and managing sirector said: “The Sidemen are evolving from being the single hottest group of individuals in the creator economy, to one of the country’s leading FMCG brand-builders. We’re delighted to be partnering with them on this exciting new range.
“They have millions of fans with a love of great ice-cream, and we have decades of experience of making it. We go together like luxury dairy ice cream on top of hot chocolate fudge cake.”
The family-run ice cream factory based near Chester can produce 18,000 litres of ice cream per hour, making it the largest family-owned ice cream manufacturer in the country.
Gordon McDermott, SIDES’ food director, added: “The reaction to these ice creams in SIDES restaurants has been phenomenal since we launched at the end of 2024... we literally had people buying tubs and tubs like they were in a shop, saying they were taking them home to put in the freezer. When that happens, the consumer is telling us something.
“Beechdean has been amazing. Only they could keep up with the staggering demand of our fans. You can’t buy Marshmallow Cake ice cream anywhere else, and we can’t wait to watch this brand grow and match or even overtake the success we’ve seen with our other brands.”
British YouTube collective the Sidemen is made up of influencers and internet personalities including KSI, Miniminter, Zerkaa, TBJZL, Behzinga, Vikkstar123, and W2S.
Their other FMCG brands include premium vodka brand, XIX, and BEST Cereal.
UK’s first frozen oral nutritional supplement range launches
Icesupp is a new, first-to-market range of frozen nutrition supplements.
The products were created by Amy Smith and her partner Robert Upton, when they saw how Amy’s father Ray struggled to build and maintain his weight during his cancer treatment.
Traditional nutritional supplements prescribed by the NHS were too thick, but Ray found ice lollies soothing as well as easier to consume. Amy and Rob realised how effective it could be to combine the benefits of nutritional supplements with the more refreshing and tasty form of an ice lolly and the idea for icesupp was born.
The duo worked with Reading University’s Food Science Department and a team of specialist advisors, oncologists, GPs and dietitians to create the products.
The main ingredients in icesupp’s 100% plant-based supplements are fruit and pea protein, with a range of vitamins and minerals. Each 86ml supplement pouch is packed with real fruit, 5g of protein, 2.5g of fibre and 150 calories, to build strength and energy.
The two launch flavours are Mixed Berries and Mango & Passionfruit, with a box of 12 supplement pouches with a RRP of £23.75.
The products are supplied in ambient liquid form to be frozen at home by the end user into a soothing sorbet-like iced consistency.
Smith said: “There are many reasons why people struggle to eat. When Dad was going through treatment for bowel cancer, he found it difficult to eat a conventional diet, as do many other cancer patients. He found solid foods difficult and painful and had little appetite for the thick, sickly meal supplements, meaning it was hard for him to keep on the weight he needed.
“He discovered solace in ice lollies, which provided soothing relief and were effortless to eat. Traditional ice lollies didn’t provide the much-needed nutrients and this sparked an idea - so we have created a product that soothes and refreshes, while providing a delicious source of nutrition for those in need.
“Our goal with icesupp is to help families like ours, who have experienced the devastating effects of dramatic weight loss and malnutrition, which can impact anyone - however those that are particularly at risk include those with an illness like cancer, and those aged over the age of 65, especially if they are in a care home or have been recently admitted to hospital.”
Hot halloumi
Staple Food Group has launched its Kouzina Halloumi PDO with Chilli (225g) – a combination of traditional halloumi with a subtle chill kick.
The new product is ‘protected destination of origin’ (PDO) certified and is suitable for grilling, frying, or baking and is available to restaurants, cafes and caterers looking to offer something unique, as well as retailers keen to meet growing consumer demand for premium, high-flavour cheeses.
“Kouzina Halloumi PDO with Chilli is an exciting addition to our range, offering chefs, retailers, and food businesses a way to differentiate their menus and product offerings,” said Chris McNally, sales director at Staple Food Group. “With the growing consumer appetite for bold, flavourful cheeses, this new halloumi variety is set to become a firm favourite in both professional kitchens and home cooking.”
