Belfast bakes Jalapeno Corn Bread for M&S

A new Jalapeno Corn Bread has been developed exclusively for Marks and Spencer stories across the UK by Hovis in Belfast, a leading Northern Irish baker.

The Jalapeno Corn Bread is part of the M&S Summer of Flavour range and is inspired by American and Mexican recipes with highlights including Monterey Jack cheese, corn flour and buttermilk, as well as jalapenos and sweet corn to give added flavour and colour.

Billy Thompson, Hovis business unit manager, says the new product is the result of a unique partnership between M&S and product development teams at Hovis. "We have been providing M&S with a variety of traditional bread products for more than 40 years, since the retailer opened its first store in 1967.

"We've built a strong relationship over the years and it's great to be working with them to create the new Jelapeno Corn Bread, a modern twist on our traditional baking process. In keeping with the M&S initiative, we use local ingredients at our bakeries including buttermilk from Ballyrashane Creamery so this new bread is benefitting other companies in Northern Ireland.

Katy Patino, M&S bread developer, adds: "We've travelled the world taking inspiration from bars, restaurants and street stalls to help create the M&S Summer of Flavour range, with the aim of bringing a host of fantastic flavours to life for our customers to enjoy over the summer months.

"The new Jalapeno Corn Bread is a unique product in our bread range and we have been liaising closely with our supplier Hovis to get the perfect mix of delicious ingredients. Their bakers have extensive knowledge and we are delighted with the finished product."

The new Jelapeno Corn Bread is a large, moist roll with an infusion of flavours and, whilst it can be eaten at room temperature, is best served warm with a spread of butter or with a hearty soup or chowder. It retails at £1.80 for 400g.

Hovis Ltd is the new name for Premier Bakeries in Belfast. The bakery currently supplies Marks & Spencer UK stores with Irish brown soda bread, Irish pancakes, Irish potato farls, Irish soda farls and Irish wholemeal wheaten bread

It also supplies super soft bread and super soft rolls are also supplied to the Irish M&S stores from the Belfast plant.

M&S is working with customers and suppliers to combat climate change, reduce waste, use sustainable raw materials, trade ethically, and help customers to lead healthier lifestyles.