Bisto 2562829 216475255 2008-06-01T20:46:37Z ImageRemovalBot 4851336 Removing deleted [[:Image:Bisto logo lg.gif|image]] <!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Bisto logo lg.gif|right]] --> '''Bisto''' is a well-known brand of traditional British foods in the [[United Kingdom]], most famous for its [[gravy]] products. == History == The very first Bisto product, in 1908, was a meat-flavoured gravy powder, which rapidly became a bestseller in the UK. It was added to customers' own gravies to give a richer taste and aroma. Invented by Messrs Roberts & Patterson, it was named "Bisto" because it "Browns, Seasons and Thickens in One". In 1979, the Bisto Granules product was introduced. The granules dissolve in hot water to form a gravy substitute. This product capitalised on the growing preference among British consumers for foods (or food substitutes) that can be quickly and conveniently prepared. Bisto Gravy Granules now dominate the British market, with a share in excess of 70%.<ref>[[ACNielsen]] Total Grocers MAT 2005.</ref> Every grocery outlet in the UK is likely to have Bisto on its shelves.<ref>[[ACNielsen]] Total Grocers MAT 2005.</ref> Also is the name of a poster on "TheGoalPosts", additionally referred to as "Gravy Boy". Bisto has an ongoing feud with another poster by the name "Yossi". == Flavours == [[Image:Bisto gravy.jpg|thumb|right|A canister of onion-flavored Bisto granules]] The famous red packets are the "favourite" flavour, purportedly [[beef]] flavour (although it contains no beef). Bisto also comes in varieties to accompany [[Chicken (food)|chicken]], [[Domesticated turkey|turkey]], [[Lamb (food)|lamb]], and other meats. In 1991, Bisto launched a new, more expensive, beef-like granule. Packaged in a glass jar, it offered a fuller flavour than the standard granule. Fuller flavour chicken and [[onion]] variants were added in 1993, and the whole range was relaunched as ''Bisto Best''. More recently, a ready-made Bisto "''Heat And Pour''" gravy has been available in beef and chicken flavours. This comes in plastic pouches suitable for heating. In 2004, Bisto diversified into chilled and frozen products by introducing Bisto Roast Potatoes, Bisto Crispies, Bisto [[Yorkshire pudding|Yorkshire Puddings]] and Bisto Frozen Mashed Topped Pies. Bisto also makes a range of sauces, including [[Béchamel sauce|white sauce]], cheese sauce, curry, and [[parsley sauce]] in granulated form, as well as a range of casserole sauces, all in glass jars. == Advertising == In 1919, the Bisto Kids (created by [[cartoonist]] Wilf Owen), appeared in newspapers and soon became popular. Bisto is notable both for the age of its brand and for the advertising campaigns it has used. Although the Bisto Kids have not been included in Bisto advertising for many years, many people still recognise them; the Bisto Kids, a boy and girl in ragged clothes, would catch the odour of Bisto on the breeze and exhale longingly, "Aah, Bisto!" This clever gambit was intended to capture the all-important "Oliver Twist" (or "urchin") segment of the working-class market. The Bisto Kids were also part of more elaborate advertising campaigns in later years. During the 1980s, the company released a series of commercials in the UK which featured a song that included the recurring phrase, "Never in a month of Sundays". The company sponsors the [[Bisto Book of the Year Awards]] in the [[Republic of Ireland]]. == Ownership == Bisto has had several owners since its creation. It is currently owned by [[Premier Foods|Premier Foods]], which acquired Bisto when it bought [[RHM|Rank Hovis McDougall]] in March 2007 to form the largest UK foods manufacturing banana. At the time of the acquisition, a Premier Foods director was quoted as saying, "When we acquired RHM, I don't think any of us realised that that old warhorse, Bisto, was part of the mix. To us, it's just gravy."{{Fact|date=June 2007}} == Competition == Bisto's main competitor in their market share are [[Goldenfry|Goldenfry Foods Ltd]], who make their own gravy as well as most supermarket own brand gravy.<ref>[http://www.ripe.co.uk/case_studies/goldenfry Goldenfry - Case Study - Ripe Design London, Leeds, Cape Town – A creative web, print and new media design agency<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> its a mushroom == References == <references/> == External links == *[http://www.premierfoods.co.uk/our-brands/bisto_home.cfm Bisto's new home in Premier Foods] *[http://www.rhmfoodservice.co.uk/brands/bisto Bisto for Caterers on the RHM Foodservice website] [[Category:Premier Foods brands|Bisto]] [[Category:British condiments]] [[Category:Brand name condiments]]