This article was produced and shared by Unilever

Great Gravy is one of the hardest-working components on any menu. Whether it’s served alongside a traditional roast, poured over pies and mash, or used to add richness to seasonal specials, customers expect a gravy that delivers flavour, consistency and quality with every serving.

For operators, meeting those expectations can be challenging. Research commissioned by Unilever Food Solutions found that operators typically serve around 20 litres of gravy per week, highlighting the need for a dependable solution that can deliver quality across multiple dishes and services. At the same time, 62% of surveyed UK and Irish operators serve dishes accompanied by gravy every day, reinforcing its importance as a staple that chefs simply cannot afford to get wrong.

Yet, creating great gravy from scratch requires time, skill and kitchen resource. Achieving the rich flavour, smooth texture and glossy appearance customers expect can often involve lengthy preparation, placing additional pressure on busy kitchens, particularly during the festive season when demand is at its highest.

Knorr Professional Finest Gravy: premium quality without the preparation

Despite operational pressures, customer expectations remain high. Research among UK and Irish foodservice operators revealed that rich flavour, thick smooth texture and an appealing dark appearance are among the characteristics most associated with high-quality gravy.  When purchasing a ready-to-use gravy, taste was identified as the most important consideration by operators, with trusted brands, allergen considerations and ease of preparation also ranking highly.

With premium gravy driving growth in the category, operators have an opportunity to elevate dishes and enhance perceived value. However, achieving the depth and complexity of a traditional gravy from scratch can be difficult when time and labour are under pressure.

What if there was a solution to this?

Knorr Professional Finest Gravy delivers the rich, roasted flavour and silky-smooth texture of a slow-cooked gravy without the lengthy preparation. New for Christmas 2026, it is the brand’s best-tasting gravy recipe, providing chefs with a premium solution that helps maintain quality whilst improving efficiency.

Endorsed by Scotland’s First National Chef and Knorr Professional Ambassador, Gary Maclean, the product has been designed to help chefs deliver exceptional results consistently.

“When it comes to dishes served with gravy, you can cook a great dish, but customers want a great tasting gravy and lots of it. Knorr’s Finest Gravy is versatile and delivers all the flavour of a 12-hour sauce in a minute and a half, giving you rich, consistent depth every time. Exactly what you need in a busy kitchen.”

– Gary Maclean

Great gravy, made simple

For kitchens serving significant volumes of gravy each week, consistency and ease of preparation are essential. A gravy solution needs to perform service after service whilst maintaining the flavour and appearance customers expect.

Knorr Professional Finest Gravy has been developed with this challenge in mind. Quick and easy to prepare, it simply mixes with boiling water to create a rich, premium gravy with minimal effort. Each 1.14kg pack produces 12 litres, helping operators serve generous portions throughout service without compromising on quality.

With its rich, rounded flavour, Finest Gravy delivers a premium finish straight from preparation, reducing the need for additional ingredients or extensive preparation time. Its versatility makes it an ideal accompaniment for traditional roasts, hearty winter favourites and creative seasonal specials alike.

It is also suitable for vegans and contains no declarable allergens, giving operators greater flexibility across diverse menus and dietary requirements.

Alongside Finest Gravy, Knorr Professional’s 25L gravy range continues to provide a reliable solution for operators serving larger volumes. Recognised as the UK’s No.1 Back of House Gravy, the range offers a versatile base that chefs can customise with their own ingredients to create signature gravies and sauces tailored to their menus.

Together, these solutions provide flexibility for operators, whether they require a premium ready-to-serve gravy or a dependable base that can be adapted to suit individual recipes and customer preferences.

Think beyond the roast

Gravy is already a firm favourite across menus, with 53% of surveyed operators serving it with sausages, 50% with pies and 45% with steak.  But beyond these established favourites, there is an opportunity to use gravy in new ways, balancing familiar comfort with fresh ideas, particularly during the festive period when menus often need to balance customer excitement with operational practicality.

Knorr Professional’s Pour on Christmas campaign provides inspiration and recipes for operators to try at Christmas that go beyond roast. The campaign showcases how gravy can become a hero ingredient across a range of festive menu concepts.

For chefs looking for inspiration, Knorr shares creative recipes including a Smashed Pigs in Blanket Burger, Stuffed Turkey Toastie Melt, Yorkshire Battered Burrito and the indulgent 27th Waffle Stack. These dishes demonstrate how familiar festive flavours can be reimagined into exciting menu options that help operators stand out, make the most of seasonal ingredients and offer customers something a little different during the Christmas trading period.

These creative twists not only provide menu inspiration but can also help operators maximise the value of festive ingredients and reduce waste, whilst maintaining the comforting flavours customers look for during the season. And the opportunities extend beyond December. From winter-warming dishes to contemporary menu creations and dipping sauces, gravy can add depth, richness and flavour across a wide variety of cuisines and occasions.

Pour on the possibilities

The message is clear: gravy matters. Customers expect it to deliver flavour, texture and consistency, and operators rely on it across a wide range of dishes and occasions.

Whether serving traditional roast dinners, hearty pub classics or seasonal menu specials, the right gravy can elevate the overall dining experience. By combining premium taste with ease of preparation, Knorr Professional Finest Gravy helps chefs meet those expectations whilst reducing pressure in the kitchen.

This Christmas, give every dish the finish it deserves and pour on the flavour with Knorr Professional.

Discover more festive inspiration and recipes at Knorr Professional Pour on Christmas