South African Food Review - Volume 37, Issue 8, August 2010

In a world dominated by generic products, the secret ingredient for any recipe to be successful is an individual's input. 'Automation cannot give you the passion!' Robert Rauch says.

Owner and mastermind behind DinnerMates, Robert Rauch clearly has pure passion running through his veins. Coming from a long line of Master Butchers in Germany, he knew at the age of three, what his destiny was.

In 1985 DinnerMates was commissioned to supply the hospitality trade and food factories with a product range combining quality, practical packaging and competitive prices.

Robert Rauch has been an institutional member of SAAFoSt since 1976, attending regular lectures in 2004 DinnerMates was honoured as a custodian member, which is only awarded to companies and organisations willing to go the extra mile in promoting professionalism in the food industry. Bearing this credit proudly on all their products alongside their name guarantees perfection and vigilance at all levels.

International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) is a leading creator and manufacturer of flavours and fragrances used in a wide variety of consumer products. Tricia Fitchet spoke to Spencer Kruger, flavour sales manager, Africa, about trends in the food industry.

New applications for Near-Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy show this testing technique is a powerful scientific research tool which can be used in a variety of applications. Tricia Fitchet investigates.

Photosynthesis, pollination, evaporation - natural processes that man find very difficult to replicate, and if we were to mimic nature it would cost us more than a small fortune. Can we afford to destroy what nature does for us for free?

South Africa is a few years behind the UK on wine packaging innovation, where plastic bottles, Tetra Pak and even canned wine are increasingly seen on the shelves of the big retailers. Now Vinopack has announced the SA commercial launch of what it claims is an environmentally-friendly alternative to glass, the 750ml Burgundy and Claret PET wine bottle from Polypet.