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With a mission to bring better food to Canadians, Sobeys (@sobeys) launched a new line of products in collaboration with Jamie Oliver (@jamieoliver) called “Compliments presents: Jamie Oliver Discovers Canada”.

Compliments presents: Jamie Oliver Discovers Canada

The line of products are only available for a limited time at all Sobeys stores and launched just in time for the holidays. It consists of 14 better food options made with fresh, quality and higher welfare ingredients. All the products are ready to cook (or eat) and were each tested, tasted and approved by Jamie himself.

Earlier this month, I was invited to sample the new products at Nella Cucina on Bathurst. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but I have to say, I was quite impressed with this new Jamie Oliver line.

Nella Cucina

I could definitely see myself purchasing some of these products to prepare for dinner during the week. I don’t know about you but when I get home from work, I’m dead tired and the last thing I want to do is spend an hour or two whipping up dinner from scratch. These products are a wonderful alternative to the usual fast food/take-out options!

Now let’s get to the important stuff…here’s a look at what the “Compliments presents: Jamie Oliver Discovers Canada” line has to offer:

Nice & Spicy IndianStyle Dip – lentil and Greek yogurt hummus topped with spicy lemon & lime pickle, A Taste of Tuscany ItalianStyle Bean Dip – garlic, white bean and balsamic dip made with Greek yogurt and topped with roasted and sundried tomatoes and basil and Zingy Moroccan-Style Hummus – white bean hummus with zesty preserved lemons and artichokes topped with spicy harissa

Assorted Dips

Tear & Share Three Fruit & Nut Loaf, Heavenly Roasted Garlic Rosemary Focaccia – rosemary-infused and studded with caramelized garlic cloves and A Dolce Twist Sweet Cherry Focaccia – packed with juicy and sweet cherries and topped with Madagascar vanilla and sugar

Assorted Bread

Easy Cookin’ Flattened Chicken – Certified Humane chicken that’s been fully marinated and flattened for faster cooking (comes in a ready-to-roast holiday tray)

Easy Cookin’ Flattened Chicken

The chicken comes in smoked chipotle or herby lemon.

Easy Cookin’ Flattened Chicken

Melt-in-the-Mouth Beef Blade Pot Roast – made with a mustard rub

Melt-in-the-Mouth Beef Blade Pot Roast

Old School Holiday Ham – boneless ham brined in festive flavours, smoked over maple wood and topped with a sticky orange and rosemary glaze (heat and serve)

Old School Holiday Ham

Super Sustainable Scrumptious Seafood Pie – loaded with MSC certified sustainable smoked Canadian sockeye salmon, shrimp and haddock in a creamy béchamel sauce full of spinach and shallots and topped with a creamy mash (sold frozen)

Super Sustainable Scrumptious Seafood Pie

Heart-Warming Apple & Berry Crisp – with Canadian apples, cranberries and blueberries all cooked in a fruit syrup with a crunchy oaty top

Heart-Warming Apple & Berry Crisp

Gooey in the Middle Festive Brownie – made with dark chocolate, gooey in the centre and loaded with festive fruits and nuts

Gooey in the Middle Festive Brownie

Simply Incredible Banoffee Cakes

Banoffee Cake

To say there was a lot of food would be an understatement. I guess I missed the part of the memo that told me to wear my stretchy pants… Anyway, I’ll talk about my personal highlights: all the bread products, the Italian-style bean dip, the apple & berry crisp and the banoffee cake.

I’m a dip kinda girl. Every time I come home from the grocery store, you’ll find several dips in my fridge. What I particularly enjoyed about Jamie Oliver’s dips was the fact that they used a Greek yogurt base which gives them a creamier consistency. While I’d be happy serving any of the three dips at a party, my personal favourite was the Italian-style bean dip. Garlic, white beans, balsamic and sundried tomatoes – what’s not to love?

I thoroughly enjoyed the three types of bread included in the line. I’m not always a big fan of fruit and nut loaves but this tear & share loaf was incredibly addictive. I loved the soft and chewy texture of the bread which was easily torn apart. Great for any time of day.

An explanation about the bread

The roasted garlic rosemary focaccia was just as delicious. Putting garlic on anything is like cheating! The sweet cherry focaccia was the one that really surprised me though. I was a little hesitant about this one but it turned out to be my favourite. Sweet and savoury!

Another favourite of mine was the apple & berry crisp which comes frozen – just heat and serve. I loved that it wasn’t overly sweet and the addition of the cranberries gave it a nice bit of tartness. Served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and you’ve got yourself a crowd-pleaser.

The last dish we tried was the banoffee cake and they definitely saved the best for last. This has got to be my favourite product in the entire line. It tasted like a sticky toffee pudding but better! The dessert consisted of a moist, soft banana cake topped with a lovely toffee sauce. Loved it!

Banoffe Cake

These products truly are a wonderful collaboration between Sobeys and Jamie Oliver. With Jamie taste-testing and approving each product, I don’t think we can expect anything less. So, what are you waiting for? Go to your nearest Sobeys and check out these products while they’re still available!

*This was a complimentary meal. The opinions in the post are my own.*



  1. Kay (Reply) on Saturday 21, 2013

    Did not like Jaimie’s sweet leek and mushroom pilaf.. Dry did no taste good or look appetizing.. Expensive for the Quality and portion.