Harrington Foods are producers of Benenden Sauce and Quiddity – two deliciously addictive sauces which are a must-have for independent retail, with a strong and long established following from customers throughout Kent and beyond. We spoke to Amelia Harrington, Business Manager, to find out more about the roots of this family business and what makes their sauces so very special.
Tell us a brief history of the company.
Harrington Foods was established in 1998 by Sally Harrington, my Mother-in-law. Sally created Benenden Sauce whilst running her catering company. After finding Benenden Sauce was ‘strangely addictive’ and that more and more people were looking to buy it, Sally went into production. Quiddity Dressing came a few years later and its unique taste has proved to be very popular also.
Why is your product special?
Benenden Sauce is special because it is so versatile. It is not just a salad dressing but also a sauce that can go with or on anything and can be served hot or cold. It is only your imagination that limits you.
What’s the best way to serve the dressings?
I always start by telling people to shake, shake, shake, shake shake it! Both dressings are free from emulsifiers and stabilisers so the ingredients always separate.
Over the summer months we love to marinate our chicken in it before a BBQ we also leave a generous amount out for people to use as a dipping sauce. A lot of people use it to accompany their salads, burger buns, pasta dishes, jacket potatoes, and even boiled eggs!
What tips would you give to those using your products?
When I open a new bottle of Benenden Sauce, I always use the first 5th of the rapeseed oil in my cooking without shaking the bottle first. That’s because I prefer my drizzle to be less oily, however I know that for some the oily the better!
What is the question you are asked most often about your products?
Most of the questions I get now are whether my products are Vegan or Gluten Free and I’m pleased to say that both are Vegan friendly and that Benenden Sauce is also Gluten Free!
Both Benenden Sauce sauce is available in 250ml & 500ml bottles, with Quiddity available as 250ml bottles (see page 60 of our 2021 Retail & Deli Brochure and page 38 of our 2021 Foodservice Brochure)
