THE BRIEF
In August 2021, Itsu reached out to Cheeky with an urgent request to develop a Sesame Free Shichimi Togarashi for new menu items, and they needed it fast – within a month!
The challenge was to create a seasoning that mirrored the appearance and taste of traditional Japanese 7 spice Togarashi, but without any sesame in an effort to eliminate this major allergen from some of their dishes.
Embracing the challenge with our usual enthusiasm, Cheeky was tasked to innovate from concept to production in under four weeks – a timeline that we thrive on!
THE ACTION
Leveraging our vast experience in New Product Development (NPD) and procurement, we swiftly formulated two distinct options for Itsu within the first week.
The focus was on balancing the complex flavours of Japanese 7 spice Togarashi while substituting sesame with allergen-free ingredients that maintained the desired earthiness and texture. After presenting these options to the Itsu team, they quickly chose their preferred version.
With the selected recipe in hand, the next step was to expedite production and deliver the final product to Itsu’s stores within the following two weeks – a challenge well-suited to Cheeky’s capabilities.
THE RESULT
Cheeky successfully delivered the new Sesame Free Shichimi Togarashi to Itsu, achieving a record turnaround time from the initial brief to the final delivery in less than four weeks! This new product has now replaced the traditional Togarashi across all Itsu outlets, meeting the needs of customers looking for allergen-friendly options without compromising on taste.
The project, while demanding, was a thrilling ride from start to finish, proving once again that at Cheeky, no challenge is too big and indeed, the tougher the challenge, the more fun we have!
Find out more about our bespoke recipe development process here.
