NPD
Through strategic investments in machinery and skilled personnel, our New Product Development (NPD) team understands the complexities of scaling bench-top samples to full-scale manufacturing.
We are dedicated to mirroring restaurant-quality standards and honouring traditional recipes. Our development program ensures that every product maintains customers expectations.
The Process
Every project is different, but our NPD framework ensures we deliver consistently, efficiently, and to spec:
1
Initial Brief
We start by understanding your needs, product goals, kitchen limitations, customer expectations, portion sizes, and dietary considerations.
2
Feasibility & Concepting
Our team reviews the brief and explores how to execute the concept. We consider cooking methods, packaging formats, shelf life, and supply chain fit.
3
Sample Development
We create product samples for your team to trial in real kitchen conditions. This stage includes feedback rounds to refine taste, texture, portioning, and application.
4
Approval & Sign-Off
Once the product meets your standards, we finalise the specifications, packaging details, nutrition, allergen, and shelf-life documentation.
5
Production & Support
We move into full-scale manufacturing. Our team continues to work with you on forecasting, distribution, and ensuring consistency across sites.
Foodservice
Examples of the solutions we’ve delivered include replacing raw meat prep with fully cooked, ready-to-serve formats to reduce food safety risks; developing custom portion sizes to eliminate waste and standardise plating; designing flexible base proteins that chefs can finish or flavour to suit seasonal menus; and supporting hospitals and aged care providers in meeting nutritional benchmarks with consistent, tender cooked meat options.
Solving Real-World Challenges Through Product Innovation
Every kitchen faces its own challenges, from meeting dietary requirements to improving portion control and reducing prep-time. At Country Cooked, we work closely with our partners to develop smart, ready-to-serve solutions that overcome these roadblocks and support smoother, more consistent service. Below are examples of real issues we’ve helped solve through thoughtful product development and how you can swap products with our cooked meat solutions.
Swap it
Traditional pork Bacon
Issue Identified:
-
Not Halal
-
Traditional rasher shape doesn’t suit all food formats (e.g. round burger buns)
-
Requires cooking/preparation on-site, adding labour and food safety risks
Chicken Bacon
Solution Developed:
-
Made from Halal-certified chicken to suit diverse dietary needs
-
Formed into a round shape for a better fit in burgers.
-
Fully cooked and easy to heat, reducing kitchen labour and cross-contamination risks
-
Smoky flavour and texture profile mimic traditional pork bacon for customer satisfaction
Raw Beef Brisket
Issue Identified:
-
Requires 8–10 hours of slow cooking for pull-apart texture
-
High yield loss (~40–50%) due to shrinkage and fat loss during cooking
-
Inconsistent results between staff members and locations
-
Long prep time adds to staff pressure and electricity costs
Cooked Pulled Beef Brisket
Solution Developed:
-
Fully cooked, sous vide pulled brisket ready to heat and serve
-
Consistent yield and portioning reduces food cost variability
-
Eliminates extended cooking time and reduces labour needs
-
Helps maintain product consistency across multi-site operations
-
Ideal for healthcare, QSR, and institutional kitchens
Retail
With our own retail brands available nationally through Costco and Coles, we understand what it takes to succeed on supermarket shelves. From packaging and portioning to flavour profiles and pricing strategy, we have firsthand experience navigating the competitive retail landscape, and we use that insight to help others do the same.
The Process
When it comes to launching a new range of cooked meats or extending an existing line, we bring our expertise and practical support to every stage of the journey:
Trend-Led Concepting
We stay ahead of evolving consumer preferences to help you identify gaps and opportunities in the chilled or frozen protein category, including functional health, global flavours, convenience, and dietary preferences.
Collaborative Product Development
Our team works closely with yours to create custom solutions, from core proteins and sauces to fully assembled, heat-and-eat offerings.
Launch & Scale Support
With national manufacturing capability and a proven retail track record, we help bring new products to market efficiently and reliably. From boutique offerings to high-volume lines, our operations are built to scale with demand.