ONE British supermarket has a stronghold over Christmas, and it’s normal to think of them when we look forward to the festive period.
For many of us, a trip to the Marks and Spencer foodhall to admire their festive food range is an absolute Christmas-must.
In 2024, the supermarket received heaps of praise online for it’s winter seasonal offerings – from it’s Pork, Chestnut and Dry Cured Bacon Stuffing Wreath to it’s Chocolate and Orange Fruit and Nut Brownie.
But just how do their food team come out with such innovative and fresh ideas, year-on-year?
Apparently there is one golden rule that the Marks and Spencer product development team has to follow.
And head of the team, Stephen Fitzgerald, clued Metro in to the guidelines they have to follow when coming up with new and exciting Christmas products.
Stephen said: “‘There has to be a balance around Christmas because it’s such a nostalgic time of year in terms of food and tradition, but at the same time, people want novelty and they want something different and interesting.
“You can’t make something too tricksy, so we have a motto which is that you can change one thing, but don’t change two.
“If you change too much, customers can become a little bit frightened, so we kind of take them by the hand and coax them into change.”
One of the stand-out examples of this rule is Marks’ new Turkey Feast Lasagne.
The spin on traditional Italian is reminiscent of the retailer’s iconic Turkey Feast sandwiches, which shoppers run back for every Christmas.
When launching the lasagne, Marks and Spencer said on their Instagram, it’s ‘perfect for diving into over the next few weeks to keep those Christmas dinner cravings at bay before the big day!’
And the comments were full of people eager to try the latest offering, with one writing: “That does look nice.”
And another saying: “Well hello there.”
The dish has a delicious slow-cooked turkey ragu, sausagemeat and cranberry stuffing, layered between thick egg pasta sheets and bechamel sauce.
Stephen said the choice to swap turkey into the recipe over traditional beef was an example of knowing the limits of what to experiment with: “People love lasagne, so what we’ve done is put a bit of a twist on the classic. We changed the meat and added all the elements of our Turkey Feast sandwich, but kept the familiar format.
“I’m sure there are Nonnas in Italy who would be absolutely appalled by it, but it’s resonating with customers.”
And the lasagne has been praised by hundreds of positive review videos and comments on TikTok.
It’s been dubbed ‘full of flavour’ and ‘absolutely amazing’ by users of the video platform.
So, did the Marks and Spencer product team know they were creating such a viral hit?
Stephen said: “We definitely have an informed view, whether that’s from market research or customer insights – it’s a heavily educated guess.
“At the same time there’s always an element to it that when [a new product] worries you a little bit, that’s probably quite a good thing, it’s quite healthy. If it’s going to be a safe bet then anyone could do that. It’s when you get a little bit of fear, then you realise you might be on to an absolute winner, and that’s what we like to do. We like to push boundaries and thankfully we get it right more often than we don’t.”
And how does Stephen feel about holding the creative reigns of the product development team at such an iconic British supermarket?
“‘I have one of the best jobs in the world.
“Getting to design amazing, delicious food is great fun, and that’s really our main aim – it has to be as delicious as it can possibly be.“
Most iconic foods from M&S
Percy Pig Sweets
Arguably the most iconic food from M&S, these gummy treats have become a beloved staple in British households and are often associated with the brand.
Colin the Caterpillar Cake
Another fan favourite, this cake is a popular choice for celebrations and has become a cultural icon in its own right.
Dine In for Two Deals
Marks & Spencer’s extensive range of ready meals, particularly their Dine In for Two deals, offer gourmet meals at home and are celebrated for their restaurant-quality taste and convenience.
Gastropub Fish Pie
A luxurious fish pie packed with succulent pieces of fish in a creamy sauce, topped with mashed potatoes.
Chicken & King Prawn Paella
A Spanish-inspired dish with saffron rice, chicken, king prawns, and chorizo.
Cottage Pie
A comforting dish with minced beef in a rich gravy, topped with creamy mashed potatoes.
Butternut Squash Risotto
A vegetarian option featuring creamy risotto with butternut squash and sage.
Duck à l’Orange
Tender duck breast in a tangy orange sauce, perfect for a special dinner.
Macaroni Cheese
A classic comfort food with macaroni pasta in a rich, cheesy sauce.
Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon
A French classic with slow-cooked beef in a rich red wine sauce, with mushrooms and bacon.
Teriyaki Salmon
Flaky salmon fillets in a sweet and savoury teriyaki sauce, served with rice and vegetables.
Extremely Chocolatey Biscuits
These indulgent biscuits are covered in a thick layer of rich chocolate, making them a favourite for chocolate lovers.
Profiterole Stack
A show-stopping dessert featuring layers of choux pastry filled with cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce. Perfect for special occasions.
New York Cheesecake
A rich and creamy cheesecake with a buttery biscuit base, this dessert is a nod to the classic American treat.
Tarte au Citron
A zesty lemon tart with a crisp pastry base and a smooth, tangy lemon filling. It’s a refreshing end to any meal.
Strawberries & Cream
A quintessentially British dessert, featuring fresh strawberries paired with M&S’s luxurious cream.
Percy Pig Dessert Sauce
Inspired by their iconic Percy Pig sweets, this fruity sauce is perfect for drizzling over ice cream or pancakes.
Chocolate Éclairs
Delicate choux pastry filled with fresh cream and topped with a glossy layer of chocolate. A timeless treat.
Trifle
A layered dessert with sponge cake, fruit, custard, and cream. M&S offers various versions, including the classic sherry trifle.
Madeleine Cakes
These delicate, shell-shaped sponge cakes are light, buttery, and perfect with a cup of tea.
