The frozen food market is recovering after a couple of bad years, Alf Carr from the British Frozen Food Federation claimed during a debate on the future of frozen food at the launch of IFE07 last November.

He disagreed that consumers were sceptical about the freezing process itself, pointing out that 30% of all chilled foods purchased were taken home and frozen.

IFE07 is the ideal place for buyers looking for innovation, says Carr.

One such innovation is the frozen bread boat from Butts Food, which is baked hollow and is sturdy enough to hold cold and hot fillings. It is available in naan, white, ciabatta and wholemeal varieties. It is also showing a frozen bread bowl.

UPB Products, which produces frozen Asian snack foods, will be using the show to launch Fusions filled snack balls. Varieties include a Thai beef ball filled with coconut sambal sauce and an Indian chicken ball filled with mushroom saag. The idea behind Fusions is to create a handheld snack product with no need for dipping, as the sauce is inside.

Indulgence Patisserie, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, will be showcasing several frozen desserts including plum, fig & pistachio sable and white chocolate tiramisu.

Ice cream supplier Hill Station will be unveiling eye-catching new packaging for its Loseley ice cream brand and launching a range of flavours made with fresh Jersey cream. These include Madagascan vanilla, acacia honey & ginger and caramel & roasted hazelnut, in 500ml and 125ml tubs. The Hill Station brand will also be on the stand, as will Thayers Welsh ice cream, Yorkshire Dales and Granellis.