Expert's verdict: 7/10



?Soup producers are upping their spend at the premium end of the scale as the market gets more competitive. New Covent Garden now has to go up against premium own label variants, many of which offer competitive price points at this top end of the market. This soup would be nice as a starter before a pasta dish or something. There is a hint of mascarpone in there but it didn't overpower the other flavours. The flavour has Italian connotations and it has a better flavour and texture than standard tomato soups.

Nigel Ashton, category controller, Nisa-Today's

Consumer's verdict: 7/10



?I'm vegetarian and am always interested in trying new soups, and Covent Garden is a brand I often buy. This one had a rich, herby tomato flavour but it didn't taste homemade. I couldn't really taste the cheese, so if someone bought it because they love mascarpone then they may be disappointed. At £1.99 it's more than I remember paying for other Covent Garden soups. It was pleasant but there are other Covent Garden soups that I prefer such as the mushroom one.

Kevin Leahy, software developer, Sussex













A year down the line... Sharwood's snacks and dips Company: Premier Foods Launch price: £1.39 Today's price: £1.39 Acid test verdict: 4/5





In line with Premier Foods' plans to scrap its range of Asian-branded Sharwood's sauces, the Asian snacks and dips offer is being dropped. The changes all form part of a shake-up of the portfolio following Premier's takeover of the culinary brands division of RHM in March. Premier said it wanted to streamline the offering to concentrate on developing the brand's core ranges including its Thai, Indian and Chinese-branded offers.